Mr. Porter's status as Liberty High's guidance counselor grows more tenuous as the trial progresses and as Hannah's tapes become public domain. Because he feels guilty about his inability to help Hannah when she needed it most, he takes it upon himself to confront Bryce Walker and his mother about Hannah's rape. He also attempts to reach out to the other kids mentioned on the cassettes, but no one wants his help.
Despite receiving a brick through his car window telling him to "know his place," Mr. Porter testifies with the truth in mind. His statements align with Hannah's rather than the school district's. Then he reveals Bryce as Hannah's rapist and admits he could have done more.
After his testimony, he attempts to help Mrs. Baker find evidence of "the Clubhouse," a storage shed on campus where the jocks party and often assault female students. They fail in the endeavor. Soon after, Mr. Porter loses his job over the trial testimony, but he remains diligent in his efforts to find justice for the kids affected by the school's series of tragedies.