Tara Roussel
Metairie, Louisiana

• Juris Doctor, Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law
• Louisiana Law Review Vol. 85 Editor-in-Chief
• Academic Tutor (Basic Civil Procedure II)
• Six-time Paul M. Hebert Scholar
• summa cum laude graduate
• Undergraduate: LSU; Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• Graduate: LSU; Master of Arts in Teaching

Tell us about the student organizations you were involved in at LSU Law, as well as any special events at LSU Law that you may have worked on.

During my time at LSU Law, I was actively involved in several organizations. I began my law school career as a member of the Ethics Committee of the Student Bar Association. In my second year, I served as a tutor for Basic Civil Procedure II and competed in an external moot court competition. I was also selected to join Louisiana Law Review as a Junior Associate. In my third year, I went on to lead Louisiana Law Review as Editor-in-Chief of Vol. 85. 

Tell us about the awards and/or academic honors you’ve received during your time at LSU Law that you’re most proud of.

While not an award or academic honor, what I am most proud of is my decision to leave a stable career I had worked hard at and start over entirely. Leaving teaching for law school was not a decision I made lightly, but it has turned out to be more rewarding than I ever imagined. 

What are your fondest memories of your LSU Law experience?  

Leading Louisiana Law Review has been the most challenging experience of my law school career, but it has been equally rewarding. Nothing has shaped me more in law school, and I’ve learned invaluable lessons along the way. I’ve also built relationships that will last a lifetime. 

What are your immediate career plans after taking the bar exam?  

After taking the bar exam, I will clerk for Judge Darrel J. Papillion (’94) at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Then, I will clerk for Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt (’85) at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 

What are your long-term career ambitions?  

While I once considered a future as a federal judge, I’m currently focused on immersing myself in my clerkships and continuing to grow as an attorney. I’m excited to begin my practice after clerking and look forward to seeing where that experience leads me, whether that’s a judgeship or another path. 

What advice do you have for current law students who aspire to graduate as a member of the Order of the Coif? 

Don’t be afraid to fail. Law school is one of the few times—if not the only time—in your legal career when you can take risks and try new things without real-life ramifications, like those that affect real-life clients. There’s a lesson in every failure, and even if you fall short, you’ll still be steps ahead of those who never tried.