Tara A. Harris

Attorney at law/owner

Tara pursued a law degree in order to protect children and fight injustice. Since 2003 Tara has been a practicing trial attorney, and dedicated more than 10 years of her career to serving the people of Lewis and Clark County. Tara has tried more than 40 jury trials, numerous judge trials, and a variety of civil and administrative hearings.

Tara returned to private practice in January 2015 changing her focus to estate planning, probate, guardianships, adoptions, employment law, general civil litigation, and small business planning. Since opening Harris Law on February 1, 2016, Tara has completed over 140 estate plans, over 100 adoptions, numerous guardianships, and several probates and small business matters. In addition to her legal work, Tara is an adjunct professor at Carroll College where she has taught Constitutional Law since 2006 and coached the Moot Court Team since its inception in 2008 until its end in 2016. 

Tara grew up in a small town outside of Great Falls, Montana and learned from a young age the value of hard work and the difference between right and wrong. In 2000, she received her B.A. from Carroll College with distinguished honors, double-majoring in Business Administration-Management and Political Science. She earned her J.D. from the University of Montana Law School in 2003. Today Tara is admitted to practice in the State of Montana, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, and the 9th Circuit. She serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Children’s Alliance of Montana, after serving as a Board Member for over 10 years and on the Executive Committee from 2016 through 2021.

Tara finds great satisfaction in using her law degree to help people plan for their future, protect their families, and right wrongs. When she is not working, she and her husband can be found exploring the world through the eyes of their son and enjoying the outdoors.

Melissa joined Harris Law in April 2022 and works a part-time schedule. She has practiced law for more than 30 years, beginning her career as law clerk for the Montana Supreme Court. Beginning in 1990, Melissa worked to protect the people of the State of Montana and Lewis and Clark County as a prosecutor trying more than 60 felony jury trials, as well as handling bench trials and numerous hearings in the civil and criminal realm. She is excited to start a new career path with Harris Law and use her vast experience to assist clients in civil matters.

Melissa graduated from Eastern Montana College in 1981 with a BSBA with an Accounting option after which she successfully completed all portions of the CPA exam. Melissa graduated from the University of Montana Law School with honors in 1989. Currently, Melissa is admitted to practice in the State of Montana and the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Melissa is a member of the Criminal Jury Instruction Commission and a board member of the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection. She also serves on the board of directors of CASA for Lewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties.

Melissa grew up with her parents and three brothers following her civil engineer father around the country and overseas before finally settling in Montana to attend college. In her free time, Melissa enjoys all the whitewater Montana has to offer.