Laura L. Wallis, P.E.

Laura L. Wallis is more than a Chief Operating Officer–she’s a systems thinker, policy strategist, and passionate advocate for families navigating complex challenges. Since joining Alan R. Harrison Law in 2020, Laura has overseen the firm’s operations with precision and heart, managing everything from HR, payroll, and vendor relations to software implementation, staff training, business development, and financial systems. Her goal: to keep the firm running smoothly so our team can stay focused on what matters most, serving families.

Laura’s background as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) gives her a unique perspective on systems. She spent years specializing in civil engineering design, plan review, and quality control—designing physical systems like roads and sewers. Today, she brings that same analytical mindset to social systems that often feel broken, particularly those surrounding disability services, education, and mental health care. As both a professional and a parent of a child with special needs, Laura understands the critical need for coordinated, compassionate systems, and she’s made it her mission to help build them.

She is a skilled technical writer, seasoned public speaker, and policy advocate with years of experience drafting legislation, school board policies, agency handbooks, and strategic frameworks for statewide initiatives. Her contributions include co-authoring Idaho Code 16-2426A, which protects parents from being criminalized for seeking out-of-home psychiatric care for their children, and Idaho Code 33-1224, which places limits on restraint and seclusion in schools. She also wrote the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Parent Handbook and helped craft her local school district’s bullying and harassment policies.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from the University of Arizona and maintains her P.E. license in Idaho, Arizona, and California. She’s been honored with several awards for her advocacy and service, including the Governor Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award for Eastern Idaho and the Idaho Federation of Families’ Outstanding Advocacy Award.

She currently lives in Ammon, Idaho with her husband, an adorable 9-year-old puppy, and is the parent of two adult children who are off living their best lives. A lifelong learner and creative spirit, Laura loves quilting, reading, traveling, doing puzzles, and watching K-dramas—when she’s not cheering on her daughter at competitive ballroom dance competitions or baking her famous cranberry tarts at Thanksgiving. She finds joy in small traditions, meaningful conversations, and keeping her toes in the sand whenever she can.

Laura’s community involvement has included service on the regional behavioral health board’s children’s mental health subcommittee, policy writing for her local school board, and leadership in organizations like the PTO, her church’s women’s auxiliary, and the local quilt guild. She’s also played a key role in Idaho’s YES System of Care, sitting on the YES Communications Workgroup for over four years and co-authoring the system’s guiding document: the Principles of Care and Practice Model.

Originally from Southern California, Laura has also lived in Texas and Arizona before planting roots in Idaho. She was drawn to the firm when Alan asked her to help create the internal processes that would support a growing office—and she stayed because the mission is personal. As someone who understands the challenges families face, she values being part of a team that is purpose-driven, family-focused, and committed to making a difference.