Tara A. Hagan
Tara A. Hagan is a shareholder of the firm with over a decade of experience in business and real estate matters, including business acquisitions, commercial real estate purchase and lease transactions, corporate formation and governance documents, and financial regulatory compliance. She routinely provides legal counsel to clients—from small businesses to large organizations—on contract matters and their legal and compliance obligations with respect to business operations. Throughout her career, Mrs. Hagan has negotiated and closed high-value transactions, drafted and reviewed a wide array of commercial leases, and guided clients through the intricacies of regulatory compliance in the financial sector. In addition to her transactional practice, Mrs. Hagan also has successfully handled many appeals, and with her proficiency in legal brief writing, analysis, and research along with her knowledge of appellate procedure, she ensures her clients receive strong advocacy in appellate proceedings.
Mrs. Hagan earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida with a major in Legal Studies and minor in Psychology, graduating summa cum laude, and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, graduating cum laude. While at Stetson Law, Mrs. Hagan was a member of Stetson Law Review and served as a Notes and Comments Editor on the 2009-2010 Executive Board. After graduating law school, Mrs. Hagan moved to the Emerald Coast and in 2011, joined Chesser & Barr, P.A. Mrs. Hagan is a member of the Okaloosa County Bar Association; a member of the Appellate Practice and Real Property Sections of The Florida Bar; and a member of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association.
Certifications:
- NAFCU Certified Compliance Officer (NCCO)
Bar and Court Admissions:
- The Florida Bar
- U.S. Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Education:
- Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, Florida
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude
- Major: Legal Studies
- Minor: Psychology
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Okaloosa County Bar Association
- Okaloosa Florida Association of Women Lawyers
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section
- Junior League of the Emerald Coast
Classes and Seminars:
- Co-Instructor, Mock Trial Class, Collegiate High School, NWFSC Leadership Program (Spring 2015-2017)
- Speaker, Ethical Considerations in Landlord-Tenant Law, Landlord-Tenant Law Seminar (2016)
- Speaker, The Lease; Ethical Considerations, Landlord-Tenant Law Seminar (2015)
- Speaker, Eviction Process; Ethical Considerations, Landlord-Tenant Law Seminar (2013)
- Speaker, Termination of Tenancy and Tenant Remedies and Defenses (2011)
Articles