Tara Paulson

Legal Assistant

Practice Areas

About

Tara's practice primarily focuses on employment matters as she guides employers through a wide variety of complex disputes and compliance issues. Tara is often retained as an attorney workplace investigator and trainer on discrimination, harassment, and other workplace issues. Tara has significant experience in employment litigation, including matters involving federal, state, and local employment laws.

Tara regularly represents clients in responding to administrative charges before federal, state, and local agencies, counsels employers regarding various labor and employment law issues, negotiates and prepares employment and separation agreements, reviews and revises employee handbooks, and drafts personnel policies. Tara's experience and skill has earned her recognition as Lawyer of the Year (Management) for 2025 by The Best Lawyers in America™ for Lincoln, Nebraska

Tara also serves the Firm as its Chief Executive Officer, overseeing attorney recruitment, employee engagement and implementation of the Firm’s growth strategy.

Education

Augustana College - Sioux Falls, SD, Government and International Affairs Spanish, B.A., magna cum laude, 2007

University of Nebraska College of Law, J.D., with distinction, 2010

Admissions

Nebraska
U.S. Court of Appeals (8th Circuit)
U.S. District Court (D. Neb.)

Successes

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 v. State of Nebraska, 316 Neb. 28, ___ N.W.3d ___ (2024). Successfully obtained reversal of erroneous decision of state labor commission.

Jane Kress v. Tecumseh Poultry, LLC, No. 4:16-cv-03146 (D. Neb. 2017). Successfully obtained summary judgment on claims of disability discrimination and retaliation.

Nebraska Association of Public Employees, Local 61 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees v. the State of Nebraska, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, 2016 WL 536686, January 25, 2016 (No. 1399). Successfully defended State against prohibited practice charge filed by Union.

Barnhardt v. Open Harvest Cooperative, 742 F.3d 365 (8th Cir. 2014). Successfully obtained and defended summary judgment on ERISA, FMLA, ADA and age claims.

Rosberg v. Johnson, 284 Neb. 104, 815 N.W.2d 867, 2012 WL 2865598, Neb., July 13, 2012 (No. S-11-734). Successfully defended incumbent Nebraska Public Service Commissioners in election challenge.

Washington v. Resort Lifestyle Communities, 2012 WL 1884901, W.D.Tex., May 23, 2012 (No. A-11-cv-407 LY). Successfully obtained summary judgment on claims of race and color discrimination.

Ginsburg v. Concordia University, 2011 WL 839393 and 2011 WL 41891, 111 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 441, D. Neb., 2011 (No. 4:10-cv-3064). Successfully obtained summary judgment and attorneys' fees award against plaintiff on religious discrimination claim.

Professional/Community

The Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Lincoln, Nebraska, Employment Law - Management (2022)

Great Plains Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2018-2021)

Nebraska Defense Counsel Association, current President (2022), Board of Directors (2016-present)

Nebraska Defense Counsel Association, Rising Star Award (2018)

Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court, Member (2012 - present)

Defense Research Institute, Employment Law Committee (2010 - present); The Voice Subcommittee Chair (2012 - present)

UNL College of Law Dean's Advisory Committee (2013 - 2021)

Friends of Woods Tennis, Board Member (2011 - present)

JDRF, Board Member (2017 - 2020)

UNL College of Law Young Alumni Council, Member (2013 - 2018)

Lincoln Bar Association, Board Member (2013 - 2016)

Teach a Kid to Fish, Board Member (2013 - 2016)

American Red Cross, Lancaster County Chapter Board, Board Member (2013 - 2016)