Tara Dugo, Attorney at Dugo Law, LLC, holds a prominent position in the legal community with memberships in organizations such as the Connecticut Bar Association, American Bar Association, Fairfield County Bar Association, and Greater Danbury Bar Association.
As the managing attorney at Dugo Law, Tara’s responsibilities encompass every facet of the firm’s operations. These include representing clients in various capacities, whether through litigation, mediation, or appeals. She also takes charge of overseeing the company’s financial matters and trust account. Additionally, she is actively involved in marketing and advertising to ensure the firm’s visibility and reputation. Tara’s most cherished aspect of her workday is the opportunity to connect with her colleagues. She considers herself fortunate to lead a team of exceptionally intelligent and competent women who are not just colleagues but also dear friends.
In the past, she held co-chair positions in the Fairfield County Bar Association’s “Women and the Law” and “Appellate Law” executive committees, contributing to gender diversity and appellate law expertise. Tara was a member of the District 4 House of Delegates for the Connecticut Bar Association, representing her district’s interests and influencing the association’s governance. As part of the executive committee of the Connecticut Bar Association/Young Lawyers Section, she co-chaired the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Committee, highlighting her dedication to children’s welfare and juvenile justice issues.
Tara currently serves as a Special Master in the Stamford Superior Court, contributing her legal expertise to handle complex legal cases. In addition, she actively participates in volunteer legal work in Stamford Superior Court, providing essential legal assistance to self-represented family law litigants through the Volunteer Attorney Program, ensuring access to justice for those in need.
Empathy, Humor, and Animal Welfare
Tara’s approach to life and work centers on compassion, empathy, and humor. She values understanding the unique stories and experiences of individuals in both her professional and personal life. Tara believes that laughter is essential for physical and mental well-being, especially when dealing with challenging issues. Beyond work, her passion lies in animal welfare, where she actively fosters and volunteers with an animal rescue organization, saving the lives of cats and dogs. Tara’s well-rounded approach reflects her commitment to making a positive impact through empathy, humor, and her love for animals.
A Lifelong Passion
Tara has dedicated her entire professional career to family law. She began her legal journey as a paralegal at a prestigious family law firm in Connecticut while attending law school in the evenings. This period overlapped with her pregnancy with her first child. After graduating from law school, she seamlessly transitioned into her role as a family law attorney, a path she has passionately pursued ever since.
The Firm
Dugo Law operates as a boutique family law firm situated in northern Fairfield County, CT. The firm’s overarching mission is to deliver high-quality legal representation to clients, all while ensuring affordability. Specializing in divorce and family law, the firm handles a range of cases, from those involving modest estates to high-asset divorces. Their services encompass litigation, mediation, and appellate representation, all within the family law domain. What sets this firm apart is its unique, all-female team, including the principal attorney, the associate attorney, and both paralegals.
Respecting the Pioneers
A pivotal aspect of ascending to a leadership role in the legal profession involves the ability to simultaneously embrace the future and pay homage to the past. In the realm of law, Tara acknowledges the invaluable contributions of generations of women who preceded her. These trailblazing women faced countless struggles, shattered numerous glass ceilings, and persevered through formidable challenges, all to secure a semblance of equality in the legal field. Tara firmly believes that it is of utmost importance for current and prospective leaders in the legal profession to honor and respect these women for the trails they blazed, which have paved the way for Tara and others in the industry.
Perspective on the Family Law Field
Tara’s journey has been marked by the development of her self-confidence. Over the years, she has come to recognize not only her capability but her excellence in her professional role. Despite occasional bouts of imposter syndrome, which she acknowledges continue to emerge, Tara views this internal struggle as a catalyst for positive growth in her career. Continually striving to prove her own competence has driven her to work diligently, evolve into a more proficient attorney, and, above all, fortified her overall resilience and determination.
Tara firmly believes that women offer a distinct and valuable perspective to the field of law, particularly within the domain of family law. She observes that this perspective is increasingly gaining recognition and acceptance among the public. This is evident in the growing number of female family lawyers entering the legal profession each year, as they not only establish themselves but also forge successful and fulfilling career paths.
Expanding Reach
Tara’s future plans revolve around the continued expansion of Dugo Law. She initiated this venture from her kitchen during the midst of the pandemic, and it has since grown to include three full-time employees and a well-appointed office in Fairfield County. Their collective objective is to extend the reach of their high-quality legal representation to a broader clientele.
Quote: “Work hard. Honor those who built the road you are now walking down. Believe in yourself. You got this!”
