Haigh Porter was born in Florence in 1934. He was the son of James Henning Porter, Jr. and Mamie Haigh Porter.  He is married to Kathryn Elizabeth Green and has two daughters, Mary Devereaux Porter and Margaret P. Stanley (husband E.H. "Chip" Stanley Jr.)

Judge Porter attended public schools in Florence. He received his B.S. in Biology from the University of the South, better known as Sewanee.  He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1965 and received his Doctorate of Humanities from Francis Marion University in 2011.

Judge Porter served in the U.S. Army Reserves and worked as a supervisor in the hospitality industry before attending the school of law.  After admission the SC Bar, Judge Porter practiced in Florence.  In the early years, his practice focused on real estate, corporate and family court matters.  Since 2004, he has primarily served as a special referee.

In 2006, Judge Porter received the Ralph King Anderson Jr. Award in recognition of dedicated community service.

Judge Porter served on Florence City Council in the 1980's and as mayor of Florence from 1991-1995.  He is a life member of St. John's Episcopal Church having served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden.  Judge Porter has also served on various local advisory boards. He is presently the chairman of the Grants committee of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation. He is also a trustee of the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation.