Second Year Law Student Tia Marie Bailiff Wants to Be a Litigator

Personal Life

Tia Marie Bailiff is a second year law student at Savannah Law School and anticipates a May 2015 graduation. Although Tia has several areas of interest, she hopes to gain employment at a large firm in a litigation department. She noted that she enjoys cases that are more "high risk."

Tia was born in Hurricane, WV, and raised in Springfield, TN. When asked about her upbringing, she explained:

"I did grow up with a brother, Jamie, and sister, Lori, and they both have amazing children. My brother, sister, and I are now very close, and their children are a very large part of my life. I have two nieces: Marlee (7) and Brittany (21), and two nephews: Dusty (16) and Jameson (4), and I may very well be the most proud aunt that ever existed! I was blessed to be raised in a family where both parents stayed together, and was lucky enough to witness the love they have for one another. My mother, Phyllis, and my father, Fred, are a large part of my life and have shown immense love and support for me throughout my life and my endeavors."

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Tia graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a focus on Legal Concentration from Austin Peay State University in June 2012. Prior to receiving her Bachelor of Science, she attended Volunteer State Community College where she was awarded the Patty Powell Reflection of Light Leadership Scholarship. During her undergraduate years, Tia served as President of Emerging Leaders, Chair of the Constitutional Committee for the Pre-Law Society, and was Vice President of the Student Government Association. She competed regionally in Moot Court and participated in Alpha Theta Psi and Pi Sigma Alpha's political science fraternity. Tia represented her school as a student leader at six leadership conferences. She taught as a Student Leader at Vanderbilt University's Collegiate Leadership Conference and she taught a week long leadership seminar for the student leaders at Volunteer State Community College. Tiaalso made the Dean's List.

She is the recipient of the Dean's Award at Savannah Law School, a student nominated leadership award, and she was the first Student Bar Association President. Tia received the CALI Award, which is presented to a law student for achieving the highest grade in the class (won for her academic excellence in evidence class). She is currently a Peer Mentor, Staff Associate on Law Review, and she competes regularly on the Trial Team. Tia is also working as a Research Assistant for Professor Joseph D'Agostino.

Tia has extensive experience in the legal environment. She previously worked full-time as a Senior Litigation Paralegal for almost five years for an attorney in Tennessee. Tia was responsible for reviewing all evidence in "high risk" litigation, both criminal and civil. She formulated themes of cases, evaluated discovery, reviewed intricate evidence and catalogued it as well as assisting in determining admissibility, participated in client interviews, reviewed autopsies, and even did some transcription work. Tia also drafted legal documents for the firm. During this time, she had the opportunity to work on two murder cases, with her evidentiary work leading to a suppression of a murder confession. Tia continues to do contract work for firms as a senior litigation paralegal.

She is a student member of the American Association of Justice (AAJ) and she will be a student member of PAD this semester. This semester, Tia hopes to publish her student Note with the working title "Stand Your Ground: A Government Divided."

What are her hobbies and personal interests? "I am an avid reader, and just about anything in print can hold my attention. I also am a music enthusiast. I play the piano, some drums, and I dabble in guitar, but mostly I sing. Music has the power to transcend any language barrier or cultural divide, and I find it both rejuvenating and relaxing."

Tia's Academic Law Career and Future Aspirations
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Why did Tia go into the law? She asserted:

"I have seen great attorneys, noble people fighting to advocate their clients and their interests. I have also seen cold, calculating attorneys that view ethics as a laughable matter and people as dollar signs. For me, an attorney's weighty responsibility cannot come with more honor, and it is a burden I feel I was born to bear.I went into the law because of life experience. All around me, I saw people that were hurting in some area in their life, people that felt they had no place to turn, and no person to help them. I realized that, more than anything, I wanted to be the voice for those that had none. After all, to fight for oneself is merely survival, but to fight for someone else, that's heroic."

Tia shared her aims and aspirations. She stated:

"I aspire to become not just a litigator, but the best litigator. I want to develop the skills and talent to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves, or simply do not know how. I want to do pro bono work for my community while zealously advocating for clients. Hopefully, one day I will be able to have a leadership position in a larger firm or even open my own large law firm, so that I may instill in associates the same drive I have when representing clients, while encouraging them to use their knowledge to better the community around them."

When asked about her key accomplishments, Tia claimed,"I think my key accomplishment would honestly be making it into law school and thriving once there. All my life, I heard often how I would never be able to achieve this goal, and through perseverance and dedication, I have achieved it."

Tia discussed her key strengths and skills that she would like to use to advance her
career goals. "My work ethic is one thing in which I take great pride. I am a self-motivator, and as such, I get up earlier and stay up later, working as much as possible to master my tasks. I enjoy the long hours, immersing myself in my work, and have a healthy level of drive and determination."

Are there any weaknesses that she would like to work on? "Of course. Everyone has weaknesses. I would certainly like to learn to better balance myself, and learn to spend a bit more time on social endeavors and independent intellectual pursuits."

Since law school can be hectic at times, Tia pointed out how she relieves stress. "I will play music or listen to music, compartmentalize whatever task or life problem is stressful, and move forward."

Many readers are probably wondering how she handles new assignments. The second year law student shared her process: "Although I find methodical tasks relaxing at times, I thrive on the 'new' and 'different.'"

Where does Tia derive her confidence? "From my faith and my family."

Three Wishes to Live By, Coping with Fear, Major Obstacles, Volunteer Experience and Great Achievements

If Tia had three wishes, what would she wish for? "The first wish would be for health and happiness for my family and friends.The second would be to become the best litigator I can be.The third would be to become a leader in the legal field."

How does she deal with fear? "I face it head on."

Has Tia faced any obstacles in her life? How did she get through the obstacle? She acknowledged:

"I have faced many obstacles in my life, some that are probably not proper for print. But, I recognize life is not easy for anyone, and all of us are underdogs in some way. To get through my life, which has been considerably difficult and at times would have hobbled others in my position, I did what I always do: I fought. It is not in my personality trait repertoire to give up or give in when faced with any obstacle. One must either push through the obstacle, or search for a way around."

Is there any particular achievement or activity she would like to share with our readers? "Prior to law school, I spent time modeling, acting, and singing. I also spent my time on stages around Nashville, and I even helped host a cable access television show called Record Row Revue."

Learning New Languages,Legal Role Models, Personal Philosophy, People You Want to Surround Yourself With and Favorite Quote

What languages does Tia speak? "Unfortunately, I am only fluent in English. I am lightly conversant in Spanish, but I intend to study foreign languages more rigorously once I have completed this educational endeavor. I aspire to become fluent in Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic."

Does she have any legal role models? Her legal role models include Clarence Darrow, Jason Shapiro, Abe Fortas, Phil Beck, David Bernick, Mary Jo White, Justice Benjamin Cardozo, Judge Learned Hand, and Judge Richard Posner. Tia noted that they are all great legal litigators. She said the judges are known for their wit and ingenuity.

What is her personal philosophy? "Be fair, and give all."

Tia talked about what she believes holds more truth in light of her personal philosophy. Was it fate or choice? "Choice. Because every morning you wake up and you have a choice to be a better person. You also have a choice to help people. Ultimately, my choice and determination allowed me to attend law school. I choose to make a difference in other people's lives."

What kind of situations and people is she attracted to? What kind of situations and people does the law student avoid?

"I try to not box individuals into types of people for either good or ill. I have found that oftentimes, the people that most would want to avoid are the most interesting. Everyone adapts to the hand they were dealt in life, and the only people I avoid are those that perpetuate their own problems or the problems of others. Everything in life is a choice. As all people do, I tend to try to avoid any situation that would cause myself or others any unnecessary grief, problems, or heartache."

Does she prefer more time around people or spending time alone? "I am happy in most any situation, and feel that there is a time to work in a collaborative manner, just as there is a time to work individually."
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Tia's favorite quote is by Ayn Rand: "I started my life with a single absolute: that the world was mine to shape in the image of my highest values, and never to be given to a lesser standard no matter how long or hard the struggle." She said the quote resonates with her because it is an empowering quote, a quote that will inspire people to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and make a valuable contribution to the world around them.

Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator