Meet Tara Di Luca. America's Fastest Lawyer

The First Rule of Focus: Wherever You Are, Be There.
Photo cred. Daniel Jackson cdsportspix.com

In Honor of Women's History Month, we are providing profiles of inspirational female attorneys throughout the  nation.  Here is a post we did previously on Attorney Tara DiLuca.  We are pleased to place Attorney Di Luca in the NL spotlight. To be honest, we were lucky to catch her. After all, Tara may just be the fastest lawyer in the nation.  

An associate at the prestigious law firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Eldelman & Dicker, Attorney Di Luca works in the firm's medical malpractice defense group. Ranked as one of the top 50 law firms in the nation by the National Law Journal, Wilson Elser has offices throughout the nation as well as affiliate offices throughout the world including London, Berlin, Mexico and Paris.  

If you recognize Tara's name, you may have heard her on WVOX radio discussing issues related to fitness and the law.  You may have read some of her published works in various law journals including the New York State Bar Association Law Journal, The Westchester County Law Journal, and the NY State Bar Association's Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Journal. Tara is an advocate of maintaining a healthy extracurricular lifestyle outside of the law office. It's good advice. It's a great way to relieve stress and keep your energy up in a demanding law office. But does she practice what she preaches? Absolutely. 

"I really enjoy my work and the diverse subject matters and cases that I come across.  My work requires a lot of hours, and I find that training and competing is my outlet and stress reliever, and allows me the serenity of going out on the track and focusing on something I love to do.  Life is itself mentally and physically draining at times, and training is my outlet to relieve the stressors of everyday life.  When I go to the track or gym, I try to leave my worries and stress in the car.  It is my time to be "in my zone" and re-charge my body and my mind. 

Since the age of 12, Attorney Di Luca has been training and competing in Track & Field Events including sprints, 55 meter hurdles, 60 meter hurdles, and 100 meter outdoor hurdles.  In her senior year of high school she qualified for the New York State Championships.  Tara continued her success at Fordham University where she broke records at the Division 1 level.  She broke collegiate records in both the 55 and 100 meter hurdles.  Despite entering the Pace University School of Law, Tara continued to train throughout her studies.  Following her graduation she even added fitness/sports modeling. This area of modeling has become more popular over the last few years, given the rise in women competing in athletics, and the "trend" and goal towards a healthy and fit physique.  She also works with several supplement companies and photographers in the fitness and sports fields. 

I asked Tara if there were any memorable competitions that came to mind.  She recalled her experiences at the USA Track & Field Club Nationals in 2009.   During the two day event, Tara competed in the 100 meter hurdles where she made the finals at a personal best time.  "I remember being really focused those two days, and gave it my all.  I also remember repeating to myself one of my favorite quotes, "The first rule of focus is,  wherever you are be there."  Apparently, Tara refuses to slow down.  This past indoor season, she ran a personal best in the 60 meter hurdles, and placed second at the USATF New Jersey Championships. 


Still not fast enough for you?  Tara also won the 55 meter hurdles this past indoor season at the USATF Long Island and Metropolitan Championships, and placed second at the finals for the Colgate Women's Games at Madison Square Garden. In addition, she qualified for the finals the 60 meter hurdles at the prestigious Boston Invitational meet and missed qualifying for USA National Championships by two tenths of a second, less than the blink of an eye. Next up, Tara will be training for outdoor season, notably for USA Track & Field Club Nationals, and attempting to qualify for Outdoor USA National Championships.

Frankly, it amazes me.  After a day in the office, all I want to do is slunk down on the couch and watch bad television.  I asked Tara how she managed to balance her training with a demanding work schedule.  "Sleep and proper eating habits are key to staying on top of my game both at work and on the track.  As an attorney and a competitive athlete, my goal is be a role model for young girls and to encourage individuals who have careers, that it is feasible to have a professional career and also maintain an exercise program, or participate in a hobby that you enjoy.  My training program is rigorous, and I typically devote three days a week to track workouts and two days a week at the gym for strength training, when I am in season."


Recently, Tara was asked to participate in the 54th La Biennale di Venezia, in Venice, Italy. The Indianapolis Museum of Art and Allora & Calzadilla are partnering with national athletic organizations USA Gymnastics and USA Track & Field on three newly commissioned sculptures for the U.S. Pavilion exhibition Gloria at the 54th La Biennale di Venezia. The pieces—"Body in Flight (Delta)," "Body in Flight (American)," and "Track and Field"—will incorporate performances by professional gymnasts and runners. La Biennale di Venezia has for over a century been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Since its founding in 1895, it has promoted contemporary culture, new ideas, and artistic trends through major international exhibitions.