Attorney

Tara Sharp

**********@*****.***

EDUCATION

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan

Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, January 2009

GPA: 3.10 Class Rank: Top 19%

Certificate of Merit: Torts II and Trial Skills

Distinguished Student of Integrity and Ethics Award

Phi Delta Phi, National Law Ethics Society, President and Membership Chair

Sixty Plus Clinic, Treasurer

SBA Tutor: Torts II and Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Advent House, Legal Volunteer

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, April 2006

GPA: 3.39

The College of Arts and Sciences, Western Student Association, Senator

Alpha Lambda Delta, National Honors Society

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Attorney (March 2010 – present)

Law Clerk (March 2009 – March 2010)

McCarthy Smith Law Group, PLC., Portage, MI

Practice is exclusively in employment and labor relations law, research and legal work in various fields such as:

General employment advice, arbitrations, employment-related litigation, NLRB proceedings, MERC proceedings, EEOC proceedings, MDCR proceedings, Employee handbooks & personnel policies Defense of wage & hour claims.

Attorney (September 2009 – February 2010)

Sharp Law, Portage, MI

Practice in criminal defense, non-profit law, family law, and estate planning.

Legal Intern (September 2008 – December 2008)

Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, Lansing, Michigan

Drafted various motions

Negotiated Plea Offers with pro-per clients and criminal defense attorneys

Conducted interviews with victims

Trial experience by conducting mental health and juvenile hearings

Preformed various office duties

Legal Intern (January 2008 – August 2008)

Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan

Conducted interviews and meetings with clients

Provided clients with legal advice and counseling

Performed research on various topics including estate planning, Social Security, family law, contract law, and property rights

Drafted and executed estate planning documents including wills, medical and durable powers of attorney

Prepared and drafted answers for divorce actions

Drafted opinion letters on various legal issues

Faculty Research Assistant (September 2007 – December 2007)

Professor William Wagner, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan

Researched various topics on professional responsibility

WORK EXPERIENCE

Science Research Assistant (August 2002 – August 2006)

Western Michigan University Library, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Knowledge of library information software: InfoTrac, Lexis Nexis, Proquest, and First Search

Working knowledge of most types of office technology as well as microfilm machines

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member of the Bar, State of Michigan, admitted 2009

Member of the Bar, State of Pennsylvania, admitted 2010

Member, Young Professionals, Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce

Member, Kalamazoo Bar Association, pro-bono committee

Member, American Bar Association

Big Brother/Big Sisters, Big Sister, 2009 - 2010.

Board of Directors, Gryphon Place, 2009 – present.

Board of Directors, SPCA of Southwest Michigan, 2010 – present.

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