BusinessReport.com

When Leslie Ayres decided law school would be her next career move, that was no problem because she’s a natural problem-solver.

Ayres had just completed her undergraduate work in English and Southern Studies at Ole Miss and wanted to further her education. The University of Texas School of Law in Austin became the next step, even though she wasn’t necessarily going there to become a lawyer at the time. While clerking the summer between her second and third year, everything worked out. Ayres discovered she really enjoyed application of the law.

By the fall of her third year at law school, she got an offer to work as an associate at the firm of Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips in Baton Rouge. She accepted it and, after having worked there four years, a client approached her about becoming in-house counsel. In January, Ayres became the general counsel and chief administrative officer of Delphi Oil.

Ayres says she was immediately drawn to having “something different going on every day and a new problem or issue to look at, as well as the fast pace you have to have in law.” She thrives on the job’s diverse legal challenges that can range from human resources to land issues.

She also is secretary of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge and works on the Treasures in Trouble project to preserve historical buildings.

Ayres praises her Southern Studies education for teaching her to look at a situation from all different angles because it prepared her for work and life.

“I think life affords you so many opportunities, and it’s your choice to take them and run with them,” she says. “I saw these opportunities and took advantage of them. I didn’t start at 12 saying I wanted to be a lawyer, but that I wanted to experience life.”

If you could have a job other than your own, what would it be?

“I would love to be a chef. I enjoy cooking and taking care of those around me. I have a lot of energy and believe I would enjoy the frenetic pace of a commercial kitchen and the creativity that comes with transforming items into something pleasing for others.”