Biography

Tara Zoellner devotes the majority of her practice to litigating road design cases, particularly where highway median barriers are involved, as well as briefing the attendant statutory immunity issues.

Before pivoting to road design, Tara’s practice focus was on government liability and corrections defense, including the defense of civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Bivens actions, and state law torts. Tara has successfully defended public and private entities and their employees against a variety of claims, including negligence, excessive force, wrongful death, sexual assault, deliberate indifference to medical needs, and retaliation.

Tara collaborates with attorneys in our firm to counsel and defend government agencies, and other public and private entities in Arizona and across the nation in litigation, at the appellate stage, and by providing strategic counseling, as well as critical advice and support during external/government investigations. She also has extensive experience guiding clients through every aspect of electronic discovery, from the identification and collection of documents to the analysis and production of electronic data and information.

Prior to entering private practice, Tara clerked for Judge Lawrence F. Winthrop at the Arizona Court of Appeals, where she prepared draft memorandum decisions and opinions on criminal and civil appeals and special actions.

In recognition of her accomplishments, professionalism, and legal skills, from 2016-2020, Tara was recognized on the list of Southwest Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Employment

Wieneke Law Group
Partner, 2018 to present
Senior Associate, 2017 to 2018

Struck Wieneke & Love
Associate, 2011 to 2017

Jones, Skelton & Hochuli
Associate, 2010 to 2011

Bar Admissions

• Arizona
• Texas
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
• United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

Representative Experience

• Haring v. State, CV 2017-013056 (Maricopa County Superior Court, July 8, 2019)
• Blaisdell v. Frappiea, 729 F.3d 1237 (9th Cir. 2013)

Professional Associations & Memberships

• Member, State Bar of Arizona
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Member, Arizona Women Lawyers Association
• Barrister, Horace Rumpole Inn of Court
• Past President, Trinity University Alumni Association (Metro Phoenix Chapter)

Presentations

• Co-Presenter, “Innovation in Government: Drones,” Arizona Public Risk Managers’ Association (PRIMA) Quarterly Meeting, February 10, 2022.
• Co-Presenter, “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, But What’s Inside Will Shock You,” Arizona Public Risk Managers’ Association (PRIMA) Summer Education Series, August 1, 2019.
• Co-Presenter, SWL Presents, “Discovery: The Hunt for Hidden Treasures,” 2016.

Publications

• “Lee v. State, The Mailbox Rule and Its Applicability to Notices of Claims Against the State,” 50 Ariz. L. Rev. 999 (2008).