Matis Baum Rizza O'Connor

Tara Stevens Rodrigues

Focus:

Engaged in civil litigation with an emphasis in the area of professional malpractice, hospital/healthcare law and insurance defense.

Of Interest:

Prior to joining Matis Baum Rizza O’Connor in 2006, Tara was a law clerk for Israel, Wood & Grimm. While attending law school, Tara was a three-year executive board member of the Public Interest Law Association, raising thousands of dollars for a public interest scholarship fund. She was also an active member of the Women’s Law Association. Tara further enhanced her law school experience by participating in the Duquesne University Study Abroad Program in Rome, Italy, where she studied Roman and Cannon Law.

Tara was selected to be a member of the 2007 - 2008 Bar Leadership Initiative Class for the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Allegheny County Bar Association. The group of 15 young lawyers are selected by the YLD Council from numerous candidates. The purpose of the Bar Leadership Initiative Class is to train and educate young lawyers to become leaders within the ACBA and the community. Tara's class was responsible for creating the Juvenile Domestic Violence Project which educated teens on the legal remedies and consequences of youth violence. Through this experience Tara continues to be actively involved in the Stepping Out Program, the Children's Holiday Party, Wills for Heroes and Pro-Bono Day.

In 2008, Tara was elected for a two year term on the YLD Council. The Council implements and oversees several community and professional activities and programs through the ACBA. It also acts as the voice of young lawyers in Allegheny County. Tara serves as the co-liaison between the Council and Duquesne University School of Law educating and mentoring law students on the benefits of the ACBA and practicing law in Pittsburgh.

Tara is a member of the YLD's Education Committee. In 2009, she co-chaired the Young Litigators Series. She has also acted as the program coordinator for several lunch and learns. She actively participates in the Member Services Committee which organizes many events that benefit the lawyers of Allegheny County as well as the public in surrounding communities.

Tara serves as a law school mentor through the YLD's mentor/mentee program. She has also volunteered as a judge for several student trial advocacy competitions.