Tamara Kurtzman, The Law Offices of Tamara M. Kurtzman
Image: Jason Doiy/The Recorder
Tamara Kurtzman, 31, founder
The Law Offices of Tamara M. Kurtzman
In three years, Kurtzman has gone from being a solo practitioner specializing in civil litigation, employment matters, IP, real estate and venture capital matters to the principal of a three-person boutique firm in Beverly Hills with plans to eventually open doors in Northern California. A 2007 graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, she was editor in chief of the school's Journal of Law, Technology & the Internet. Clients like Kurtzman's attention to client service: She and her team tend to provide wraparound services to clients that include transactional, venture capital and financing work, but also litigation. For one, Kurtzman is working on a $300 million legal malpractice case in addition to that client's routine business matters. Says that client, "Tamara has repeatedly made herself available at all hours of the day (and night), not to mention on weekends and holidays and constantly demonstrates that no matter what the task we present her with, she is well up to any challenge."
Word that best describes you?
Tenacious.
Toughest moment in law school or as a lawyer?
Probably the moment when I hired my first employee. Up until that point, I only had to worry about myself, but suddenly I was responsible for (and also to) someone else. It added an entirely new dynamic of responsibility to my daily outlook. Not that I regret it for a minute — it was one of the best things I ever did.
Most interesting place you've traveled?
Petra in Jordan. Before visiting I knew almost nothing about it other than having seen a few photographs and its limited depiction in various films. It was certainly one of the most impressive tributes to human ingenuity I have ever seen. To think that the entire place was carved out of stone in the 6th century B.C. was entirely awe-inspiring.
Most unusual hobby?
Probably bagpiping — you don't see a lot of pipers, let alone female pipers, around.
Stress relief?
Typically I run to clear my head. I also fence at least once a week which helps as well.
A lawyer you admire?
Although I do of course admire many of my colleagues, the name that comes to mind is Alan Shore from "Boston Legal." He's smart, unscrupulous and utterly unpredictable. He is an exceptional attorney with a strong moral core who is generally unwavering in his defense of the underdog. Irrespective of circumstances, he is able to maintain certain levity about life and his job and refuses to take himself too seriously.
