Tara L. Johnston

A native of Ruston, Louisiana, Tara earned her Bachelor of Science from Louisiana Tech University in 1999 and her Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University in 2002.  Tara is licensed to practice in the State of Louisiana, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts, the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. 

Tara’s practice is focused primarily in litigation with an emphasis on civil rights defense, law enforcement defense, and correctional liability defense. She also serves as counsel to law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities on various issues, including review and preparation of policies, risk management, and operational issues.  She has been designated as a Certified Litigation Professional by Americans for Effective Law Enforcement. 

Tara has presented on Civil Rights at various conferences.  She also presents legal updates to law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities.

Tara is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, and the Defense Research Institute.  She serves on the Executive Board of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and is currently President.

In addition to her professional memberships, Tara is actively involved in the Greater Baton Rouge Alumnae Panhellenic and served as President in 2017-2018.

Bar Admissions

Louisiana 2002
United States Supreme Court
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

Professional Associations and Memberships

Louisiana State Bar Association
Baton Rouge Bar Association
Louisiana Sheriff’s Association
Certified Litigation Professional in Corrections Litigation
Defense Research Institute
Federal Bar Association