Her Story
About Ashlay
Ashlay Leger is an Associate Attorney at Hall Maines Lugrin, P.C., where she focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and energy disputes. In just three years of practice, she has built a career defined by sophisticated legal work, strong writing and advocacy skills, and a clear vision for her future in the profession. Her path into the law began in construction litigation, an area that often intersected with energy-related matters involving pipelines and industrial projects, before a professional referral opened the door to her current focus on oil and gas, renewable energy, and biodiesel disputes. Her day-to-day work spans drafting contracts and legal memoranda, preparing court briefs, conducting legal research, meeting with clients, participating in depositions and mediations, and negotiating settlements on behalf of her clients.
A graduate of South Texas College of Law Houston, where she earned her J.D. after completing her undergraduate studies in Law and French at the University of Arizona, Leger distinguished herself academically with three CALI Awards, the Wildcat Academic Excellence Award, and recognition from the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. While in law school, she also served as a paid legal writing tutor and held leadership roles including Executive Board Member of the Black Law Students' Association. Her academic and professional achievements have since been recognized through multiple Marquis Who's Who listings, an invitation to apply for a national Top 40 Under 40 lawyers recognition, and a Member Spotlight feature from the Houston Lawyers' Association.
Beyond her caseload, Leger has become an active leader within Houston's legal community, serving as Committee Chair for the Houston Young Lawyers Association and holding memberships in the Houston Lawyers Association, the Houston Bar Association, and the American Inns of Court, among other professional organizations. She has also contributed her time to pro bono casework throughout her career. Fluent in French and driven by a lifelong love of reading and writing, Leger credits her success to hard work, strong mentorship, and the relationships she has built along the way. Outside the office, she stays balanced through travel, the performing arts, museums, and pickleball, all while continuing to work toward her long-term goal of making partner and expanding her leadership within Houston's legal community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashlay
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for the law, which has always been connected to my lifelong love of reading and writing. I also credit the strong work ethic my parents instilled in me, along with the guidance of mentors who invested time in developing my legal writing, presentation, and advocacy skills. Success, to me, has been built on hard work, meaningful relationships, and the willingness of trusted people to offer honest guidance along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most valuable lessons I've received have come through the mentors who shaped my development as an attorney. Dominique Henson helped me strengthen how I develop and present legal arguments, while Jenna Rudolph showed me what an ambitious legal career could look like. Professor Maxine Digman recognized my abilities early on and gave me the opportunity to work as a legal writing tutor, which became one of my greatest professional strengths. Professor Shelby Moore also left a lasting impression on me through her dedication to her students, including making herself available for late-night sessions to make sure we had the support we needed to succeed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering the legal profession to work hard, be intentional about building their networks, and find mentors they genuinely trust. Legal knowledge matters, but relationships can have just as much influence on career growth, offering guidance, opportunities, and support during difficult stages of a career. I also encourage women to seek out mentors who will give honest feedback and push them to improve, rather than simply telling them what they want to hear. Ultimately, there is no substitute for putting in the work required to become excellent at your craft.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Practicing complex commercial and energy litigation requires me to continually strengthen my legal knowledge, writing, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills while navigating sophisticated and rapidly evolving business matters. At the same time, I see real opportunity in professional organizations and mentorship, which allow emerging attorneys like myself to build credibility and develop leadership experience earlier in our careers. I've tried to take advantage of these opportunities through my involvement in Houston's legal community, my CLE presentations, and my continued pursuit of leadership roles.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place a high value on hard work, integrity, continuous learning, strong relationships, mentorship, and professional excellence. The work ethic my parents instilled in me continues to shape how I approach my career, and I understand that advancement in this profession requires sustained effort, preparation, and a willingness to keep strengthening my skills. I also place significant value on relationships and mentorship, because having trusted professionals who challenge, encourage, and advocate for you can make a real difference throughout a career.
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