Tara’s work in first- and third-party claims and litigation includes residential, commercial, machine breakdown, and other complex litigation matters. She represents insurance carriers, construction companies, contractors, property owners, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and corporations in state and federal courts in Florida. Tara’s employment practice focuses primarily on defending claims involving the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and other discrimination and wage-related claims.
Representative cases:
- Catastrophe, weather and storm claims to residential and commercial properties in Florida (Irma, Michael, Ian) including Examinations Under Oath (“EUOs”), building inspections, work with adjusters/appraisers, investigative work, and expert witnesses on the consulting and trial level. Litigated several of these matters in Florida federal and state courts, including the South District of Florida in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Central District of Florida, Tampa and Orlando.
- EUOs, facilitating/compelling appraisal and/or non-binding arbitration for claims in Florida and Texas involving (a) wind/storm damage claims to buildings, (b) business property claims (valuation and causation), (c) fire damage and (d) fraudulent / frivolous claims including prior construction defect cases/special investigation unit (SUI) issues.
- Counsel on matters involving third-party claims, e.g., high-profile matters such as firearms (shootings), stabbings, tramplings, and other serious injuries to third parties.
- Conducted investigation of and represented insured property owner/employer of a former employee sued in multiple subrogation matters for a multimillion-dollar condominium association fire loss causing substantial damage to multiple units and portions of the HOA common areas. Investigation of the former employee revealed a pending guardianship case, which resulted in the former employee and key witness being deemed incompetent. Cases settled with full releases for a small portion of the alleged losses.
- Handled Hurricane Ian claim involving condominium’s multimillion-dollar claim in which examination and investigation revealed fraud. HOA manager lied under oath about prior damage. Located prior lawsuit 10 years before with a complete expert witness report of an allegedly improperly constructed roof, which needed to be completely replaced, filed by the claimant. Cross-reference of public records and permits revealed the flat roof had not been replaced at any time. Counsel for the claimant declined to file suit for the claimant, and claimant surrendered the policy and took a nominal settlement.
- Defended EPLI matters, including wage and hour, discrimination, and other claims. Coordinated with experts in defense of DOL claims and contract disputes, wage theft claims, and NLRA defense.
Beyond her legal prowess, Tara is a sought-after speaker and prolific author. Among her recent appearances and publications:
- “Has Covid Changed the Labor & Employment Landscape for Good?”, Florida Association of Women Lawyers Corporate Summit, May 2021.
- Insurance Law Basics, Southeastern Paralegal Association, May 2021.
- ADP Client Event, 2020 Employment Law Seminar, January 2020.
- Women of Distinction, Introduction to Hon. Bronwyn Miller, April 2019.
- “In the Crosshairs: Gun Rights v. Employer Liability”, The Checkoff, A Publication of the Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section, Jan. 10, 2020.
- “The Silent Dignity of Confidential Settlements in a #Metoo Era,” The Checkoff, A Publication of the Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section, Aug. 23, 2019.
- Third DCA: “Juries, Not Insurers, Have Final Say in Damage Estimates Disputes”, Daily Business Review, July 16, 2018.
- Panelist Commentator, WPLG This Week in South Florida, 2017.
- “Promises Made in Severance Agreements: What do they Mean, Why are They There, & Are They Legal?”, 2016 EEOC Miami Technical Assistance Seminar.
- “Social Media policies and Title VII and the NLRA”, South East eDiscovery & IG Retreat, 2016.
- Employment Law, Dade County Chiropractic Society Attorney Roundtable, 2016
- Commencement Speaker, University of Miami, 2013.
Tara began her legal career in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office where she tried 20 jury trials and close to 50 bench trials. She earned her Juris Doctor degree cum laude, as well as an Employment, Labor & Immigration Certificate, from the University of Miami School of Law. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Tara is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Illinois.
Awards and honors:
- Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star (2016-2022)
- Florida Trend Legal Elite 2018; AVVO – Top Contributor Award (2015-2017)
- Dade Legal Aid / Put Something Back Pro Bono Project – Pro Bono Award 2017
- Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Award, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2013
- Honors – Litigation Skills Pretrial and Trial Courses, 2012
- Constangy, Brooks & Smith Diversity Scholars Award, Southern Region, 2012
Memberships
- Florida Bar Labor & Employment Section (2021-present)
- National Employment Law Council (NELC) (2020 – present)
- Florida Bar Criminal Law Section (2020 – present)
- Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association (2019-present)
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers (2016 – present)
- The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida (APABA) (2016 – present)
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association (2016 – present)
- Class V of Dade Legal Aid’s Leadership Academy (2019- 2020)
- Dade Legal Aid / Put Something Back Pro Bono Guardian ad Litem (2016-present)
- Business Networking International (2019-present)
- Biscayne Connections Member