Dean’s Council Spotlight: Jane Taber (’82)
LSU Law: You’ve spent a good deal of your career focused on creating meaningful opportunities for women in the traditionally male-dominated legal field. What changes have you seen in the industry over the years, particularly for women?
Jane Taber: There are many more support groups where women are helping women. When I first started as a lawyer, there were a lot of women who had the mentality of, “I fought this battle alone, and it makes you stronger.” I never thought that was a good philosophy. If you can help someone or make their path easier, that’s what you should do. It’s not through suffering that you become stronger—it’s through collaboration. Since there have been more women owning businesses, making partners at law firms, and earning seats in the C-Level suite—though I’d like to see more—I see more opportunities for women to work together. And I think that makes this profession more meaningful.
LSU Law: Who served as a role model for you?
JT: When I clerked at the Second Circuit Court of Appeal, Judge (Charles A.) Corky Marvin (’57) was a big influence for me. I was only there for one year, but he was very influential and supportive of women lawyers. Both of his clerks were women. Most of the justices at the Second Circuit Court of Appeal were very supportive and open to teaching. I think that was because they knew they were only bringing us clerks in for a year before we would go into private practice.
There have been quite a few different women—and some men—who were open to teaching me and helping me network with my peers. Most of my mentors were about 10 years ahead of me, so I was able to tag on to the things they were doing to help me.
LSU Law: How would you advise current law students on finding mentors?
JT: People want to help people, and most people are not going to say “no.” But you have to take the initiative to find that person and ask. Do some research into where you want to be and who might be a good person for you to reach out to. People who are on the Dean’s Council, a part of the LSU Foundation, or are still active at LSU are great places to start. They are already giving back to the university and are invested in its students. You’d be surprised at how open lawyers are to helping people—but you have to ask!
LSU Law: Between a demanding career and your commitment to community service, how do you find a healthy work-life balance?
JT: When something is important to you, you find the time for it. And I really believe that.
Before I even accept a position on a board, I learn as much as I can about that group or their mission. I have to believe in their cause and be able to commit myself 100% to what it is that they want me to do. Lawyers are often asked to join boards and then are immediately asked to head programs or committees—and that’s because we’re good at it. So, you have to take into account those meetings and your schedule as well. But if I am devoted to something, I will find the time to do it.
I know when you’re a young lawyer, your time is often not yours. You may be limited to how much you can give on a constant basis, so it may be better to participate in projects once a month versus a long-term commitment serving on a board. Believe me, whatever you can do, you will make a difference.
LSU Law: Let’s get into some fun questions! We’ve talked a lot about your professional life. Tell us a bit about your family.
JT: I’m the second of four kids, and I was the first one to graduate from college. I’m also the only lawyer in my family, so I get asked all sorts of questions at family reunions.
I married my husband after law school and we moved to Dallas, and I’ve been here ever since. I also have three grown children. They were all very active in sports, and we still enjoy going to sporting events in Dallas. We are big fans of the Texas Rangers baseball team, the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, and the Dallas Stars ice hockey team.
LSU Law: What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of Dallas?
JT: I love living in a city that has so many professional sports. I’ve actually been able to watch LSU play Texas Christian University several times. We have a lot of concerts that come here as well. Between the music and the restaurants, there’s a lot to do. Although the food is not quite like Louisiana food.
We also live in an older neighborhood with lots of trees, so my husband and I walk around a lot. Plus, we’re involved with our church and other nonprofit organizations.
LSU Law: Do you get to make it back home to Louisiana often?
JT: My parents live in Benton, Louisiana now, and I visit them and my siblings often. And I still have friends that practice in Louisiana, so I’m home a lot.
LSU Law: What’s one of your favorite memories from your time at LSU Law?
JT: I remember when we took Successions, we used to practice with the characters from the soap opera “All My Children.” We would name someone from the show and diagram where their estate would go. Now if you know anything about soap operas, you know we’re dealing with divorce, illegitimate children, and surprise family members. But that’s how we used to practice Successions! It was a little bit different way to study versus reading a textbook.
LSU Law: What’s a fun fact about you that people are usually surprised to hear?
JT: When I was a student at LSU, I was on the water-ski tournament team. We had a camp house on Lake Bistineau, and my dad taught me and my sisters how to water ski in third grade. When people see a picture of me in the air with two skis, they are so impressed.
I also went to summer school in Hawaii and was able to take a hula class for my PE credit at LSU!
LSU Law: You became a member of the Dean’s Council after getting involved with the LSU Foundation and attending an alumni event in Dallas. Can you tell us why being a member of the Dean’s Council is important to you?
JT: I can do what I do because I went to LSU and LSU Law. To have the opportunity to live the life that I’m living now, be a lawyer for the last 40 years, serve the legal profession and help people, I attribute that to my education at LSU and LSU Law. So, I need to give back and give those opportunities to someone else.
My contributions to the Dean’s Council do exactly that—they help the school and they help students.
LSU Law: Many people don’t realize all the ways the Dean’s Council supports LSU Law like funding scholarships, public interest law fellowships, and student well-being events. What is one way that the Dean’s Council supports students that resonates most with you?
JT: When I went to school, fortunately, it wasn’t as expensive. I didn’t have any student debt when I graduated law school. But now students come out of school with so much debt.
If the scholarships alleviate some of that financial burden for students, to me that is the biggest thing that the Dean’s Council can do. We can help those that would otherwise be incurring a lot of debt to pay for law school.
LSU Law: Finally, what would you say to someone who is interested in joining the Dean’s Council?
JT: This is an opportunity to give back to an organization that has given so much to you. There is a lot to be thankful for. And if you can embrace this opportunity, you can make a difference in someone’s life. As a lawyer, that’s what we do. I think most of us went to law school to help people. By joining the Dean’s Council, you can help the next generations of lawyers continue that good work in a profession that we love.
