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

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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

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Tara Lyn Sharp's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

55 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | 1 star

Posted by anonymous | October 04, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Terrible lawyer/condescending liar

All throughout the court journey all she did was lie and make false accusations. Which I understand lawyers do but she never backed it up and constantly ruins children’s lives by separating the parent and child and thinking it’s for the well being of the child. Absolutely horrible attitude and morals....

Posted by anonymous | September 25, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Shitty Lawyer

Hired her to get custody of my daughter and get child support from her mom that she ran away to. We didn’t even go to court we settled and got 50/50 which was what was already in place before because her mom and me we never married. She sucks.

Posted by anonymous | May 01, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Family

Under delivered very disappointing

She was nice enough. That’s about all I have to say. Other than that... a complete train wreck of an experience. She adjourned my first hearing for a family emergency but insisted her associate Chris could handle, I opted for her to reschedule so she could be present as i had never met Chris. Day of ...second time she cancels again and insists Chris can handle. At this point I agreed as I wanted the process to move along. Wow. It was embarrassing to say the least to watch my so called attorney against the other attorney. He stumbled on his words, did not have accurate information, and got me a terrible deal I’m stuck with months and months later. Her motions and responses for my case were all short, did not highlight pertinent information, and alas her motions were denied by the judge. I get she had a true family emergency happening, but i wish she would have excused herself as my attorney and taken the time she needed for her family. Because unfortunately my finances and my family life suffered too. 10/10 do NOT recommend based on my experience.

Tara Sharp

Replied last May 01, 2020

I'm sorry you feel that way. First, I never cancelled any hearings, the court moved the first one and then the second time my infant daughter was in the hospital with RSV in critical condition. I gave you the option to proceed with my associate or wait for me (only one to two weeks later). You chose to proceed. Then the court did not set the evidentiary hearing to March. So I never actually ever got to handle your case the way I would have to ensure more time with your children. It is nearly impossible to change available dates with the court, so to make it seem like I did not do my job is not correct. Furthermore, Chris did very well and got you more time than you ever had with your children. It is sad when things are misrepresented in this reviews.

Posted by Greg | July 11, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Custody case

So I met with Tara about a custody case and was told it would be 2500 for the entire case. She was not willing to take payments which I completely understand so I gave her a check for the full amount. Now after we had been to a couple of court dates she all of a sudden came up with I owe her another ...1000 or she won't be able to continue with the case. So I was upset but paid her anyway just to get things finished. So my final court date hearing comes and she doesn't show up and sends her partner Ms storm. Now Ms. Storm I would endorse because she did an excellent job but one of the things we agreed upon in the beginning was that we were going to have my son's last name changed. During the court proceedings the judge did agree and at the final hearing ms.storm had the defendant sign the paperwork to be filed. Ok so now I call to find out if the paper work was filed 3 months after our final court date and Tara wants to tell me that I allof a sudden owe her more money and that the name change is not part of the case. So now she's making up another fake bill after I paid the original 2500 and another 1000 on top of that. This is just crazy how unprofessional she is. Beware. She won't show up and shell charge more than she tells you knowing you can't do much in the middle of a case.

Tara Sharp

Replied last July 11, 2019

I’m sorry that you felt this way after helping you get sole physical custody. Your case was not a typical case and I said in the middle it would cost more because of that. On top of that I forgave $1000 off your bill due and then only requested $1000.00 additional to do a brand new name change case. We even prepped the paperwork without the payment. I wish the best for you and your son.

Posted by anonymous | July 11, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Just plain unhappy

I hired Tara for an Enforcement of Divorce Judgment I was being sued for. I paid her a total of 2,000. I can't get a hard copy of my final order or an itemized bill from her office. I cannot even get a response from anyone in the office. Do yourself a favor go to another attorney.

Tara Sharp

Replied last July 11, 2019

My office informed you your final copy is ready for pickup and when you let us know you are stopping in your bill will be ready. I know my firm informed you of this multiple times. Also I didn’t realize the amount of money I ended up saving you from paying your ex would result in this review. I was happy to help you and if you’d like us to mail it instead just send me an email... since I’ve actually never received any direct contact from you after you have my cell phone number and email.

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

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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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