Samuels, Brian M.

Attorney Tara Fertelmes is a graduate of Duquesne University School of Law.  While at Duquesne, Tara was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity as well as the award winning mock trial team.  In her final year at Duquesne, she and her teammates were the Chicago Regional champions and National Semi-Finalists in the American Bar Association Labor and Employment Division Trial Advocacy Competition.  Upon graduation, Tara received the Shalom Moot Court Award and was inducted into the Louis L. Manderino Honor Society.

Tara is a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a member of the Honors College.  She obtained a dual Bachelors degree in Business and Psychology, with a minor in Economics.  While at Pitt, Tara was active member of the University’s mock trial team, serving as a team captain and as the organization’s Vice President. She continues to return to her alma mater to assist in judging University sponsored high school and college mock trial tournaments.

Tara is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and has been admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western and Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

As a litigator, Tara has prevailed for clients in civil arbitration in both bench and jury trials.  She is actively involved in trial preparation work at the Firm in both state and federal court, devising strategy and conducting discovery for personal injury, civil rights and business dispute cases.  She has appeared before the Commonwealth Court and Superior Court as well as well as before various Courts of Common Pleas.

Tara is a Pittsburgh area native, having grown up in the South Hills.  She currently resides in the East Hills.   In her spare time, Tara is an avid college sports fan and enjoys attending Pitt football and basketball games.