Tara Petzoldt, Esq.

Attorney Tara Petzoldt, Esq. is an experienced litigator and skilled negotiator who focuses her practice on marital and family law matters. Before narrowing her practice to family law, Tara spent nearly seven years practicing general civil and commercial litigation at two large, national law firms.

During her time in commercial litigation, Tara represented a wide range of clients—from large financial institutions and corporations to small business owners and individuals—both in and out of the courtroom. She supervised cases from inception through resolution, advising clients at every stage of litigation. Her experience includes drafting and arguing dispositive motions and briefs, handling discovery and depositions, participating in mediation and settlement negotiations, and appearing in high-stakes hearings, bench trials, and jury trials. Tara also oversaw appellate matters, including the drafting of complex appellate briefs.

In addition to her commercial litigation work, Tara handled matters involving family-related legal issues, including trust, probate, and estate litigation. Notably, she second-chaired a lengthy bench trial involving the enforcement of a complex marital settlement agreement with significant tax implications, achieving a successful result for the client.

While Tara’s litigation background equips her to manage complex and high-conflict matters, her true passion lies in using her skills to help individuals during some of the most difficult—and sometimes transformative—moments of their lives. Her extensive legal experience, paired with a genuine compassion for clients, allows her to guide families through challenging legal issues with clarity, confidence, and care.

Prior to her admission to the Florida Bar in 2016, Tara attended Stetson University College of Law on a Full Presidential Merit Scholarship. She graduated magna cum laude with honors, ranking seventh in her law school class. During law school, Tara was actively involved in extracurriculars, including serving on the Stetson Law Review as an Articles and Symposia Editor and Assistant Managing Editor. She also worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant in Constitutional Law, Trial Advocacy, and Criminal Law, and served as a federal judicial intern for the Honorable James D. Whittemore of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Tara earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida, where she competed as an NCAA Division I athlete on the USF Women’s Soccer Team. She was recognized as a member of the Big East All-Academic Team, participated in the USF Honors College, and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Tara moved to Palm Harbor, Florida in elementary school and has proudly called the Tampa Bay area home ever since. She now resides in Tampa with her husband, Drew. Outside of work, Tara enjoys cooking homemade meals for family and friends, traveling, and spending time at Florida’s beautiful beaches.