Tara Jones Willecke, Esq.
COUNSEL
Tara has been practicing family law exclusively for twenty-one years and is Counsel to this firm.
Tara is known as a formidable attorney steeped in the facts of each client’s matter. Tara’s reputation highlights her ability in exploring avenues to settle family law matters and disputes outside of court, whenever possible, to minimize the “damage” to the family unit. Tara’s commitment is that litigation should be an option exercised only after careful consideration of the client’s objectives and a thoughtful discussion about the best way to attain those goals. Tara is known a straight shooter who counsels her clients and then employs the best strategy to accomplish the client’s goals.
While Tara settles the majority of her cases (even if those cases are litigated for a time), there are situations that arise, in which fair and equitable settlements cannot be achieved, even despite great effort and attention. In these instances, Tara deliberately and strategically litigates cases on her clients’ behalf in both the Supreme Court and Family Courts of this State. Tara demonstrates her preparedness, is attentive to detail and is a zealous advocate for her clients. Tara is recognized for her familiarity with, and extensive knowledge of, her clients, their spouses and children. Tara is committed to taking the time to gather this information, in an immersive manner because this information is pivotal in determining whether and how a case can be settled or whether and how a case should be litigated to conclusion.
Tara has acquired extensive experience counseling high net worth individuals (and their spouses) in connection with high conflict, emotionally charged and sensitive family law matters. These matters often include complex financial and valuation issues, tax issues and trusts and estates issues.
Representative Matters
- Collaborated with corporate attorneys in a divorce concerning the sale of a family owned business for $95 million and real estate investment properties with complex distribution (waterfall) provisions;
- Represented the spouse of the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and successfully negotiated a confidential resolution of all issues, including division of their approximately $65 million marital estate including intricate and complex defined benefit plans;
- Represented one of the Top 25 executives at a Fortune 100 company which included review and analysis of his employment compensation and the impact on his compensation as a result of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”);
- Represented the CEO of a Fortune 100 company in a marital dissolution proceeding involving a marital estate exceeding $75 million for which there were three different experts who testified over 30 days of trial on valuation issues and drafted points for a successful brief to the Appellate Division involving the value to be attributed to a swing block of stock inherited by the husband and a $21 million tax issue;
- Represented the wife of a co-founder of a start-up technology company and successfully advocated, on behalf of the wife, that the husband’s business should be valued using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model–the first case in the State of New York in which this Model was used to value a business interest in a matrimonial case.
Pro Bono Work
Tara has also done pro bono work for Sanctuary for Families and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and received awards for her commitment to pro bono work.
Professional Affiliations
Tara is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Courts Admitted To Practice
Tara is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey.
Education
- Temple University, J.D. 2002
- Villanova University, B.A. Political Science, Business Minor, 1999
- Prior Professional Experience:
- Partner, Blank Rome LLP 2002-2019
- Of Counsel, Donohoe Talbert LLP 2019-2022.