Tara Lyn Sharp

Tara Lyn Sharp

4.4
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 16 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Kalamazoo, MI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family

6312 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, MI

About Tara

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

If you’ve been charged with a crime, you may not know where to turn for help. The criminal justice system can be intimidating, and attempting to navigate it alone is risky without an experienced Attorney. You'll need Attorney Sharp on your side.

9 years

50%
Family 50%

Issues in family law can affect any family. Regardless of the family law issue you face, one of the most important decisions you can make at this time is the lawyer you hire to represent you. Let Attorney Sharp help you and your family. Call today.

9 years

50%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 16 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2009

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 15 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2010

Administrative Suspension

No misconduct found

Location

Sharp & Associates Law Firm

6312 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49009

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Tara Lyn Sharp's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

55 Client Reviews

Showing 46 - 50 of 55 reviews

Posted by Peter | March 19, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Amazing Attorney!

I hired Tara Sharp to handle my complicated and contested divorce and she got the job done. She’s just an amazing attorney; not only is she doing an outstanding job, she also has a specific style and strategy that may sometimes been seen as unconventional but definitely is highly effective in Court a...nd Mediation settings and is also disarming to the opponent. Tara basically always gets what she wants and therefore serves her clients always at best. You will be amazed by this attorney so don’t hesitate to hire her for your next case!

Posted by Lauri Rose Huber | December 21, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Custody case

Tara is the kind of lawyer that everyone should get to experience. when I first reached out to her, I heard back in less than 24 hours and she always responded immediately or soon as she could . She is all of the following: warm-hearted and friendly; well informed and knowledgeable yet straightfor...ward. I never doubted her due to her confidence however do not mistake confidence as anything other than somebody who is levelheaded yet bright with true integrity ; compassionate and encouraging; supportive, empathetic, and have I mentioned caring because she truly cares about the situation in which you find yourself in. I feel blessed and lucky to have found her because she took over a case basically in the middle of a proceeding knowing full well all I wanted to do was settle as this experience has been a horrible one. She's an excellent listener and it didn't take long for her to hear my story and tell me that she would get me what I wanted even if we did in fact have to end up back in court. I NEVER DOUBTED HER And with her pure sincerity and utter brilliance I have no doubt if we went back to court instead of settling she would've probably actually fought for me to get things overturned because of the way everything had been done to me and our family prior to firing my previous lawyer. She didn't bat an eye and she didn't have a doubt in her mind after hearing what had happened and what I had to say because yes it was a very big mess so if I chose I know with absolute certainty that she would have fought to have things changed. However, it has been a nightmare and I had been done and made a promise, I was going to settle and so she backed me. You see this is the strange case as I have had full physical custody of my minor daughter for all 15 years almost 16 of her life. I got a phone call a few weeks prior to summer vacation with her father being over from my daughter who informed me that she decided she wanted to stay there and live there. So to say there wasn't a lot of drama or hasn't been a lot of drama over the last 15 almost 16 years is an understatement and in the end when Tara really needed to be taken care of herself and probably should've recommended I find another lawyer she didn't. In fact that's when she did as promised and got me what I suppose I wanted although that's a very difficult word to use in such a horrible circumstance and after all the horrible things that have gone on and taken place but in time because of her hopefully we will all heal. She knew from the beginning that this was not what I wanted but kind of what I needed to do and she was one of the few who showed COMPASSION and understanding as to how hurt or devastated we all must by this and how blindsided we were. Believe me when I say I am in AWE and completely impressed with her and ANYONE ELSE WILL BE TOO. She always answered my questions and talk to me as a person that is somebody who was paying her and honestly I will call her in a heartbeat if anything else goes haywire in the next couple years. She has no idea how her kindness towards me and willingness to take a case in the middle or rather 16 years almost in the making it's something I will forever be grateful to her for because unfortunately this case didn't come without a lot of unneeded drama and that is the kind of lawyer as I said that every single person should get to experience

Posted by anonymous | December 07, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Mediation

child custody and child support review

I used Tara on three occasions. First time she was late to the mediation and negotiated with the other party and in a separate room. The second time was not willing to negotiate on my behalf. The third was to file a motion that was paid for up front and had to call repeatedly the next two months to r...eceive it. When it was finally completed was not even the correct request. Now over a year later will not respond to email or phone calls.

Posted by Ben | November 30, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

A Lawyer who cares

For me a divorce was not something I knew anything about, and therefore was very nervous about the entire process. I heard stories about lawyers being cold and just caring about money and what they could get out of the process. And then I met Tara. She was extremely nice and helped answer all of my q...uestions in the initial consultation. She really cared about me as a person and seemed very sorry for what I was going through at the time in my life. She fully understood what we needed to do in order to get to see my children as much as possible, and completely delivered. In no way did I want a divorce, but I can honestly say that thanks to Tara I now get to spend great quality time with my kids and everything else on the financial end was taken care of in a very fair way for both my ex and I. I am so thankful that I was able to work with Tara. She really is an amazing lawyer who also cares.

Posted by Chris P. | March 21, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Simply The Best.

I am a father who needed help getting visitation rights with my daughter. I knew the odds were stacked against me before i hired her. Tara took my case when others would not. With her 4 page truth speaking motion she delivered a knockout against a 30 page hurtfull motion from a 9+ rated lawyer on t...his site. If you want the best of the best, Do not, and i repeat, DO NOT hesitate to hire her. She is VERY Smart and Sharp. Thank you so much for everything you did for us Tara. Your a Perfect 10 rating in my book.

See All Client Reviews

Tara Lyn Sharp's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Tara
Benjamin M. Norg headshot
Benjamin Norg

Family lawyer | Mar 10

Relationship: Co-worker

"Tara is an excellent attorney and well respected in the community. Her passion for helping others is perfectly matched by her expertise in law. I'm honored to endorse this lawyer."

Alicia Katherine Storm headshot
Alicia Storm

Family lawyer | Dec 05

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer because she is caring, prepared, and honest."

Samuel K. Silverman headshot
Samuel Silverman

Family lawyer | Jun 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Sharp is excellent, very helpful, and accessible. I endorse her 100%."

Ravi R. Gurumurthy headshot
Ravi Gurumurthy

Unknown lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gary M. Gabry headshot
Gary Gabry

Family lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Co-worker

"Ms. Sharp is committed to achieving the best possible result for her clients, She is approachable and takes the time to know her clients and their needs. Her tenacity as an advocate is well respected in the legal community."

Becket J. Jones headshot
Becket Jones

Family lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Sharp. I have come to know Ms. Sharp since starting practice a few years back and have seen her in action in several family court and criminal matters in Kalamazoo County. Every time I have seen her in court she has been thoroughly prepared, and moreover appears to retain positive professional relationships with her clients. I have had no issue referring her matters in the past, and would have no issue referring her family court matters in the future. She is an asset to the profession, her clients, and the local legal community."

Aaron Jeffrey Boria headshot
Aaron Boria

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Sharp is a phenomenal lawyer with attention to detail. I am happy to provide her with an endorsement."

Jared Clayton Austin headshot
Jared Austin

Unknown lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Tara since law school. Her passion combined with intelligence, drive, and work ethic will be an asset to any client. I endorse this lawyer."

Reid Steven Felsing headshot
Reid Felsing

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tara is professional, trustworthy, and reliable. I have known her for many years and have referred work to her. One of those referrals raved about her representation and service. I endorse this lawyer."

Bryce A. Fetter headshot
Bryce Fetter

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Alexander Y. Benikov headshot
Alexander Benikov

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I know Ms. Sharp works hard for her clients. She understands the law and does all she can for her clients."

Jeffrey Anthony Skiendziul headshot
Jeffrey Skiendziul

Unknown lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Friend

"I find Ms. Sharp to be genuinely compassionate for the clients she represnts. Ms. Sharp's star is on the rise and any client would be very fortunate to be represented by such an upstanding young woman like her in or out of a courtroom."

View All Endorsements
Sarah Bolen headshot
Sarah Bolen

Probate lawyer

Alexis Marie Runowski headshot
Alexis Runowski

Criminal defense lawyer

Corey Volmering headshot
Corey Volmering

Divorce and separation lawyer

Alicia Katherine Storm headshot
Alicia Storm

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jeffrey Anthony Skiendziul headshot
Jeffrey Skiendziul

Criminal defense lawyer

Gary M. Gabry headshot
Gary Gabry

Criminal defense lawyer

Aaron Jeffrey Boria headshot
Aaron Boria

Criminal defense lawyer

Jared Clayton Austin headshot
Jared Austin

Criminal defense lawyer

Becket J. Jones headshot
Becket Jones

Criminal defense lawyer

Maria House Esq. headshot
Maria House

General practice lawyer

Alexander Y. Benikov headshot
Alexander Benikov

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2021

Top 10 Attorney, America's Best Advocates

2019

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2018

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2016

10 Best Under 40, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2016

Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates

2016

Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys

2015

10 Best Under 40, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2015

Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates

2015

Premier 100 Designation, American Academy of Trial Attorneys

2015

Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Owner/Attorney, Sharp & Associates Law Firm

2009 - 2016

Partner, Sharp & Gabry, PLLC

Associations

2009 - Present

Kalamazoo County Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Kalamazoo County Family Law Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Federal Bar Association

Member

Education

2009

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

2006

Western Michigan University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution