Judge Tara Flanagan serves as a Judge of the Superior Court of California in the County of Alameda.
Judge Flanagan earned a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Northridge and earned her law degree from Southwestern Law School in 1998.
Before going to law school, Judge Flanagan lived in England pursuing her
rugby career. She was selected to the US Women's Rugby National Team. She and her teammates went on to win the Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991. The USA Eagles followed their impressive 1991 victory with a second-place finish in the 1994 World Cup.
Judge Flanagan is a member of the USA Rugby Hall of Fame.
As her rugby career came to a close, Judge Flanagan enrolled in Law School. Attending law school at night while working full time, she distinguished herself at Southwestern, becoming class president and named to the Moot Court Honors Program,
where she later served on the Honors Board of Directors.
After graduation, Judge Flanagan’s law career started at a large litigation firm in Orange County; from there, she joined the Los Angeles District Attorney's office where she served as Deputy District Attorney. During her first year at the D.A.'s
office, her hard work and skill earned her recognition and honors as an "Outstanding Domestic Violence Prosecutor."
In 2004, Judge Flanagan began practicing family law. As a legal aid attorney, she represented domestic violence survivors and their children. She fought for restraining orders and financial support to ensure that the victims had the security
to move forward with their lives. Later, Judge Flanagan was the managing Attorney of the Self-Help Center of the Superior Court, and Family Law Facilitator. She later opened her own practice and continued to protect victims of domestic violence.
In 2012 Judge Flanagan won election for a seat on the Alameda County Court. Her seat was challenged in 2018 and she won that election as well. Since joining the bench, she has continued to be an active voice in our community, serving on
various boards and volunteering her time.
LISTEN HERE: VOLUME 7
With Hosts:
Summer C. Selleck
Ariel B. Lee
Sound Editing and Recording: Gilbert Leung
Music: Jonathan M. C. Jordan
Recording At: Alameda County District Attorney Office