“I am a problem solver. I love learning about our clients’ businesses, working with them to understand their problems and business needs so I can be the best advocate and resource for them. I ensure our clients are informed of the risks in order to make calculated decisions and aid them in reaching practical resolutions.”
Tara is a founding partner of Peacock Piper Tong + Voss LLP, where she thrives solving problems for her myriad of clients. She routinely defends marine terminal operators, shipowners, charters, vessel and non-vessel operating common carriers, oil and gas companies, engineering firms, general contractors, construction managers, insurance companies, securities firms and banking institutions, as well as many other industries in civil litigation. They call her the “swiss army knife” of the firm for a reason. She has been recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” every year from 2015 to 2019. Tara graduated with honors from the University of Iowa College of Law, where she was on the law review. She is a member of the Iowa Chapter of the Order of the Coif, the California State Bar Association, the Maritime Lawyers Association (MLA), and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). She is on the Board of Directors for FuturePorts and is also Chairperson of the Board of Directors of EXP. She enjoys traveling and a glass of red wine.
100 West Broadway Suite 610
Long Beach, CA 90802 USA
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Email: [email protected]
Direct: +1 (562) 320-8857
Main: +1 (562) 320-8880
Fax: +1 (562) 735-3950
University of Iowa, B.A. Political Science (2003)
University of Iowa College of Law, J.D. (Order of the Coif; Law Review) (2007)
Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (Intern) (2007)
Iowa (2007) (Inactive)
California (2009)
Tara has been practicing maritime law for over 10 years. She routinely defends clients in litigation brought in California state and federal courts. She has extensive experience conducting litigation on behalf of shipowners, charterers, and insurers in relation to arrest and attachment proceedings (particularly Rule B, C, and D admiralty proceedings), personal injuries, cargo claims, environmental claims and a wide range of commercial disputes. Over the last 10 years, she has responded to many marine casualties including personal injuries, cargo damage, and oil spills. Tara attended the North of England’s Residential Training Course in 2016.
Tara represents numerous marine terminal operators (MTOs) in civil litigation. She also assists in an advisory capacity with contract review, lease negotiations, environmental compliance, and other regulatory matters including but not limited to, compliance with California air quality and storm water regulations. Tara works closely with MTO’s, understands their business, and the legal issues that they face.
Tara has represented clients in the construction and engineering industries for nearly 10 years. Her practice focuses on civil litigation involving commercial projects. She has represented several of the largest construction, engineering and project management companies in the defense of claims brought by owners and other stakeholders. On behalf of one such client, Tara defended a $89 million lawsuit asserted in federal court by the owner, obtaining a judgment in the amount of one dollar.
Tara’s environmental practice focuses on civil litigation and includes the defense of claims pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), environmental tort claims, and citizen suits asserted under the Clean Water Act (CWA). She has defended claims asserted against clients in the oil and gas industry and maritime industry.
Tara has represented many companies in the financial services industry in the defense of customer claims, product disputes, employment matters and other commercial litigation. She has represented her clients in FINRA arbitration, as well as in federal and state court.
Tara regularly represents clients in a myriad of commercial contexts before all state and federal courts in California, as well as other states. Her practice includes a broad range of business litigation, including commercial disputes, complex construction litigation, complex tort claims, contract disputes, False Claims Act/Qui Tam actions, environmental litigation, oil and gas litigation, and maritime litigation. Tara’s commercial litigation practice includes appellate work, appearing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and California Court of Appeals.
Tara has represented her clients in a host of transactional matters including, large-scale commercial lease negotiations, preparation and review of construction, engineering and project management agreements and project-related oversight, contract review and negotiation, and California Public Utilities Commission transportation licensing issues.
