Tara Clary, a partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt and Federico, brings over 25 years of litigation experience to the table. Her expertise spans the entire spectrum of complex medical malpractice cases, from initial investigation to trial. Tara commenced her career by defending physicians and healthcare providers against negligence claims. As her career advanced, she made a strategic shift, leveraging her comprehensive knowledge to advocate for malpractice victims.
Today, Tara excels in synthesizing the technical, legal, factual, and human dimensions of her cases to secure favorable outcomes for her clients. Tara’s career has afforded her extensive trial experience and recognition for achieving two of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in the nation.
Leading on Multiple Fronts
Tara, an attorney by profession, fulfills various roles, including that of a wife and mother. These multifaceted responsibilities serve as her anchor and source of balance. She attributes many of her leadership qualities to her mother, who, as a single mom in the early 1970s, returned to school to become a physician. Witnessing her mother’s struggles and remarkable leadership in advancing women in the field of medicine inspired Tara to do the same within her own profession.
Uplifting Legal Excellence
Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico is a prominent legal practice renowned for its expertise in medical malpractice, mass torts, and class action cases. Serving clients in Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and across the nation, the firm offers exceptional legal services across a diverse range of practice areas. With a focus on complex matters demanding extensive experience, innovative solutions, and a high degree of sophistication, the firm has successfully secured over one billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for its clients.
Striking the Leadership Balance
The finest leaders recognize a growth midpoint within themselves, balancing confidence and humility. Tara envisions a leader who fearlessly makes tough decisions and takes responsibility for them, while also doing so transparently and with decency. Achieving this equilibrium can be challenging amidst the daily rigors of litigation. Emerging leaders must understand that a leader sets the tone. Tara strives to embody a collaborative 360-degree leadership style, emphasizing continuous communication and role integration. She believes that an engaged, focused, and motivated team is the key to delivering the best outcomes for their clients.
Adapting to the Evolving Legal Landscape
Tara notes that the legal landscape has evolved significantly since she embarked on her legal career in the mid-90s. The advent of technology has brought about automation in litigation, business, and commerce, altering the dynamics of office teamwork and creating distance between individuals. As a result, there is a heightened need for human connection, and women play a crucial role in bridging that gap. Tara emphasizes the ongoing goal of perfecting communication within her team, recognizing its paramount importance in this changing environment.
Fostering Resilient Leadership
Tara firmly believes that for leadership to possess resilience, it must encompass diversity, including women. Women contribute to fostering an inclusive and communal work environment, which, in turn, leads to a productive, professional, and successful business. She emphasizes the importance of aligning the leadership of any organization with both its members and the people they serve.
Tara serves as the leader of the firm’s medical malpractice division, overseeing all aspects of the practice area. She considers it a privilege to collaborate closely with every team member, ensuring the seamless operation of their group. Tara underscores the significance of leaders acknowledging and appreciating the day-to-day diligent efforts behind the scenes that underpin the success of a practice.
Tara, as a leader, places the success of the firm’s team as the top priority. She continuously adapts to address the ever-evolving needs of the moment. Tara believes that good leaders are open to listening and learning from their peers and colleagues to discover the best solutions to legal or human problems. Furthermore, she emphasizes that true leaders do not ask or expect others to do things they are unwilling to do themselves.
Empowering Authentic Leadership
Tara identifies the primary challenge for women in the legal profession, particularly those in leadership roles, as the need to be their authentic selves. She acknowledges that being authentic still carries a certain level of risk for women. For instance, women may sometimes be perceived less favorably when they need to assert themselves or express their opinions. Tara emphasizes the importance of women feeling comfortable in their own skin and setting expectations to ensure that their skills and contributions are respected in the manner they provide them.
The Success Mantra
Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico’s success in the medical malpractice division can be attributed to its ability to attract skilled, dynamic, and talented lawyers with exceptional work ethics. The firm is open to expanding its team when the fit is strong, but such growth is always intentional and not pursued for its own sake. Tara looks forward to her ongoing role in leading the medical malpractice team and advocating for victims of medical negligence and misconduct in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Vision for the Next Generation
Tara’s advice to the next generation of legal leaders is to recognize and embrace the unique skills and strengths that emerging women leaders bring to the field. Their abilities to establish human connections and effective communication are invaluable. Acknowledging and listening to people’s voices, considering their input, and actively seeking their opinions is essential. Tara personally values the times when her own opinions were sought as a younger lawyer, and she aims to pay it forward by involving others in the collective mission.
