is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator located in Venice, FL resolving Southwest Florida disputes re: contract, business, insurance, construction, real estate & HOA, landlord/tenant Folks often ask what sets Tara apart from the many other mediators out there. Well, the biggest difference is in her life experience, which provides a range of perspective that guides her creative problem-solving skills. Gess moved from a small town in Wisconsin to Nashville, Tennessee to take a crack at the music industry. While pursuing her music dream at night, she worked as a Legislative Aide to a Tennessee State Senator by day. Though she found success writing with hit songwriters and even singing at the Bluebird Café, she found that music was more of a hobby for her and that the law was her real passion. Gess was admitted to practice law in Tennessee, though she spent many years as support staff in various high-volume litigation insurance defense law firms before and while attending Nashville School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Tara quickly succeeded in her role as In-House Counsel for a national General Contractor specializing in multi-family construction, including urban high density, midrise, garden, student housing, and senior developments. In that position, she managed cases in multiple states and fostered a team mentality with various litigation attorneys throughout the country. While practicing law, she was a member of Defense Research Institute, the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel (“TACC”), and the Town of Smyrna Board of Adjustments and Appeals. In 2017, Ms. Gess presented a CLE at a TACC conference with a novel topic, “Recovery of In-House Counsel Fees,” based on her recovery of fees in connection with her work on an arbitration in Missouri. Though Tara loves working in the legal field, she believes strongly in the philosophy of work hard/play hard. She has volunteered as a youth girls’ basketball and volleyball coach, and served as Chairman of the Publicity Committee for the Sertoma Club of Venice, an active local community service group. Currently, Tara serves as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Chair of the Sarasota County Bar Association. If Tara could sum up her style and personal philosophy, she would say simply that she believes in balance – idealism with a healthy dose of pragmatism, litigation when necessary, but a preference for de-escalation, negotiation and good old-fashioned compromise to reach settlement. Tara moved from practicing law to mediating because at her core she is creative, empathic, and solution-oriented, with the desire and skill to facilitate resolution. According to Tara, her ability to remain neutral and manage emotions is her super power. As an attorney, she’s worked on both sides of the table, in defense of, as well as in opposition of, insurance company interests. If you want a compassionate, yet straight-talking approach, contact Ms. Gess for your mediation.
