Tara C Norgard

Practice Areas

Drawing on her extensive experience in complex litigation, technology, and business, Tara helps her clients leverage and defend their intellectual property inside and outside the courtroom. Ranking Tara among Minnesota’s top IP attorneys, Chambers USA 2022 states, “Tara is a fierce and highly skilled advocate.”

Tara focuses on high-stakes patent, trade secret, trademark and business litigation with a keen strategic view and relentless attention to details that matter. She has secured victories in district and appellate courts and arbitrations across the country and negotiated licenses and multimillion-dollar agreements in matters involving a wide spectrum of technologies, including medical devices, financial systems, radiation therapy systems, dental treatments, glass coatings, and consumer goods, among others.

In addition to her IP practice, Tara routinely serves as an appointee of the Federal Court in various capacities. She served as general counsel for the Receiver in the $190 million Trevor Cook Ponzi scheme, the second-largest fraud in Minnesota history, where she led the effort to repatriate assets from around the globe that were stolen under the guise of an international investment program. She also served as general counsel in the Inter-Mark receivership, where she oversaw the return of $26 million to individuals around the world. Her work on behalf of the Court and with the SEC, CFTC, and U.S. Department of Justice has earned her high regard around the country in sophisticated fraud and financial matters. She also has been appointed as a Rule 54 Special Master in the Baycol qui tam action pending in the District of Minnesota.

Tara brings first-hand business experience to every matter she handles, having worked for a global consulting firm before becoming a lawyer. Prior to joining Carlson Caspers, Tara clerked for the Honorable Donald P. Lay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and practiced with Sidley, an international law firm headquartered in Chicago.

Tara is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. She is also the firm’s chief marketing partner and co-founder and co-chair of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, which leads the firm’s actions in fulfillment of its commitment to ensuring that all people, regardless of color, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or other unique human characteristic, can excel and thrive in the firm, the profession, and the community.

Tara brings first-hand business experience to every matter she handles, having worked for a global consulting firm before becoming a lawyer. Prior to joining Carlson Caspers, Tara clerked for the Honorable Donald P. Lay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and practiced with Sidley, an international law firm headquartered in Chicago.

Tara is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. She is also the firm’s chief marketing partner and co-founder and co-chair of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, which leads the firm’s actions in fulfillment of its commitment to ensuring that all people, regardless of color, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or other unique human characteristic, can excel and thrive in the firm, the profession, and the community.

Career

Recognitions:

Chambers USA

Best Lawyers in America®

Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

IAM Patent 1000®

Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent® Attorneys

Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (2016 & 2018)

Minnesota Lawyer Diversity & Inclusion Award (2018)

Minnesota Super Lawyers®

Top 50 Women Super Lawyers® in Minnesota

Top 100 Super Lawyers® in Minnesota

Professional Memberships

Tara is admitted to practice in these courts:

Minnesota Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Personal

Outside of her law practice, Tara serves on the Board of Directors for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She also works with Friends of FANA Minnesota, a non-profit organization established to unite Colombian children of all ages with adoptive families. She previously served on the Board of Trustees for Sunny Hollow Montessori.

Experience

Read more about Tara's experience here: https://carlsoncaspersdev.digital1ne.com/professionals/tara-c-norgard/#RepresentativeCases

Education