Receiving his J.D. from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Harper graduated in the top 5% of his class as a member of the Order of the Coif. He was a junior associate with the Louisiana Law Review, Volume 81, and later served as Development Editor for Volume 82. As a member of the Louisiana Law Review, Harper published two scholarly works. Harper also served as a judicial extern for Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
Harper earned his B.A. in Political Communications, with a minor in Political Science, from Louisiana State University.