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Tara Borelli is a Valued Lambda Legal Team Member

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published May 31, 2012

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Tara Borelli is a fighter. Tara and Lambda Legal fight for equality. Tara has dedicated her life to fighting for the day where people do not have to worry about losing rights due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Tara and the Lambda Legal Team fight for equality so that people do not lose their jobs, their parental rights, or their relationship rights.

Tara Borelli is working in the Los Angeles Lambda Legal organization. Lambda Legal is an impact litigation office. Lambda Legal has been molded after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”) and other historic associations dedicated to equality. Lambda Legal is committed to achieving full recognition of civil rights regardless of a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Additionally, Lambda Legal works in coalition with a number of reproductive rights groups and women's equality groups. The Western Regional Office of Lambda Legal oversees litigation in 11 western states. Lambda Legal has five different regional offices located in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

Tara received her political science degree from UC Davis, and then she went on to graduate from Boalt Hall, which has now been named the School of Law at UC Berkeley. During her internship with Lambda, Tara discovered she was “hooked” on the work. As an intern, she dreamed of working with Lambda Legal full-time. She said she was inspired by her internship to “work as hard as I could so that I could bring more to the table.”Although Tara loves her work, initially, she wanted to be a journalist to bring injustices to light. Luckily, for our legal community and the many disadvantaged individuals Tara represents, Tara found her true calling. “I realized I could really make a difference working in the law, and I could be a part of this dynamic movement.”

One of Tara's most memorable moments in school was protesting federal government recruitment on campus. The students protested the recruitment because at that time the “Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy” violated the anti-discrimination policies of the campus. The campus recruitment continued for years despite numerous lawsuits filed by multiple lawschools. However, those days are behind us now.

Tara discussed some of the positive changes she sees in the protection of relationship rights for same sex couples. Tara has seen a huge shift in the amount of pro bono work in this area. Due to the fact that there is so much to be done in this area, the pro bono contribution of firms is imperative. Law firms are now seeing litigation to protect people's rights based on sexual orientation, gender, and HIV status as important. More and more firms are dedicating pro bono contributions in this area.

Tara's main mentor is Jon Davidson. Jon is the legal director at Lambda Legal. He has “worked in this movement for decades.”According to Tara, Jon Davidson is a great man to work for. His legal skill, knowledge, and dedication are unparalleled in this field.

Tara discussed some of her personal experience with sexual orientation prejudice. In 2004, Tara and her wife Susan were married in San Francisco thanks to the efforts of Gavin Newsom. “Although I knew there would be a question as to the legal validity of the marriage, it meant so much for us to be acknowledged as a married couple. I was incredibly hurt when our marriage was invalidated.”Tara, Susan, and Bailey (the Pomeranian) are a family.

Tara is driven to work hard and make a difference. Each case and heartbreaking client story provides more fuel for her fight for equality. For instance, one such case is Diaz v. Brewer (formerly Collins v. Brewer). In 2009, Arizona enacted a law to strip gay and lesbian state employees of domestic partner benefits including healthcare. The argument was that if the state stripped domestic partners of health benefits, they violated the federal constitution because the government would not be upholding the promise of equality. Further, by stripping these rights the law would be punishing people for exercising their right to private relationships with a same-sex partner. Through the work of Tara and Lambda Legal, these healthcare rights were upheld through a preliminary injunction during the case.
United States

Tara found being lead counsel on Diaz v. Brewer to be incredibly gratifying.“I believe access to healthcare is incredibly important. It was incredibly frightening for these clients to be faced with the loss of healthcare. The clients in this case included those whose partners were suffering from glaucoma, hypertension, and even a stay at home foster parent suffering from a torn carotid artery. Right as the state was about to yank coverage, leaving thousands of people without health coverage, we intervened.”

Tara is working with Lambda Legal on the ground breaking case, Golinski v. United States Office of Personnel Management. On February 22, 2012 the U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White declared the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) unconstitutional as applied to Karen Golinski. Here, Lambda Legal and co-counsel at Morrison & Foerster represent Karen, who was denied spousal health benefits by her employer, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. This unique and pivotal case will be heard by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Lambda Legal will seek to uphold Judge White's historic ruling to ensure that Karen, and others like her, will receive equal benefits. In addition, Tara is serving as co-counsel in Sevcik v Sandoval, a federal challenge seeking the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Nevada.

For her advocacy, Tara has received a number of awards including all of the following: the Best Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Lawyers (LGBT) Under 40 Award, Certificates of Recognition presented by the California State Assembly, the 2012 Legal Service Award, and the Top Women Lawyers of 2012 Award. Tara has a great deal of public speaking experience working with various firms, volunteer associations, and schools. Additionally, she also taught a number of mandatory continuing legal education seminars.

In the past, Tara served on the Board of Directors and was Program Committee Chair for LifeWorks Mentoring, now part of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. This program is an incredibly important mentoring program providing a positive support system and mentoring services for LGBT youth. Tara admires a number of other non-profits such as the LGBT Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (“NCLR”), and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (“GLAD”). Each organization provides “a chance to work with brilliant people in the field.”

In five years, Tara sees herself working with Lambda Legal. “I want to stay right here. There is so much left to do.” Tara will continue to pour her heart and soul into the movement. “I want to help establish principles upon which we can build future work. Each new precedent is a building block to the next step of progress” she said. Perhaps she summed it up best when she said “I love my work.” This is an area of the law that is constantly changing and providing new and rewarding challenges.

For more information about Tara Borelli or Lambda Legal, visit Lambda Legal's website at www.lambdalegal.org.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
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