Ep 114: A Deep Dive Into Life as a Labor Law Attorney with Bernstein Shur
Join us for an inspiring conversation as we delve into the world of labor and employment law as well as LL.M programs with Tara Walker. Discover how Tara's unconventional journey from a tiny Alaskan town led her to specialize in labor law. Find out how her LL.M program in Europe transformed her perspective on constitutional rights and influenced her career. Tara shares her insights and experiences in this episode, offering valuable advice for aspiring lawyers. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion on the intersection of law, policy, and making a difference.
Meet Tara Walker
In her broad management-side labor and employment practice, Tara advises employers on all aspects of employment issues in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act leave and the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program and other stimulus measures. Prior to joining Bernstein Shur, Tara was the former Legal & Policy Director of the ACLU of Alaska, where she created and managed a full legal docket from scratch, while simultaneously crafting and managing a lobbying program on the federal, state, and local levels as their chief lobbyist. She now leverages her years of experience as a successful communicator to advocate on behalf of employers, providing thoughtful, balanced advice—all while keeping the mission on its course.
Episode Highlights
Tara Walker, a labor and employment lawyer, shares her unconventional journey into the field.
She grew up in a tiny Alaskan town and became the first in her family to attend college and law school.
Tara's initial focus was on Russian Studies before she transitioned to law.
She pursued an LL.M program in Europe to explore her interest in law and expand her perspective.
Tara's LL.M program covered comparative constitutional law, providing her with a unique perspective on rights and freedoms.
We discuss the differences in legal systems among various countries and how they approach fundamental rights.
Tara reflects on her experiences working on constitutional rights in Alaska, particularly in addressing the issue of solitary confinement.
The conversation delves into the transformative impact of the Me Too movement on labor and employment law.
Tara emphasizes the importance of taking allegations seriously and creating safer work environments.
Tara also highlights her pro bono work, which includes asylum cases, emphasizing her commitment to social justice.
She encourages aspiring lawyers to have confidence and persevere in pursuing their careers, even if they don't have traditional role models.
Tweetable Quotes
“[In] law school too, I didn’t always have perfect grades. And, it doesn’t mean you can’t go far, and you can’t do a lot...keep your confidence, even if you are somebody like me, who didn’t have a lot of models growing up....You’re just kind of creating the road and the path and hoping that you’re driving the car in the right direction. As you go along, trust your confidence and your gut and your instinct in yourself.”
“There are a lot of people who are very confident that they should be there, but nobody deserves that more than you. You know, you can forge your own path and find your way there just like they did. You don’t need models. You’re not missing anything that anybody else has.”