Tara Stanislaus

Legal Experience

Ms. Stanislaus represents individuals in both State and Federal court in a wide variety of criminal and civil matters including both Felony and Misdemeanor charges, traffic violations and protective orders, as well as personal injury matters.

Prior to joining Dorsett, Johnson and Swift in 2010, Ms. Stanislaus worked as an Assistant District Attorney in both Grayson and Hays County. She handled both misdemeanor and felony cases including driving while intoxicated charges, family violence assaults, child molestation, sexual assaults, drug charges and theft charges. As the Violence Against Women Prosecutor in Hays County, she oversaw all the cases involving female victims of crimes. This included filing formal charges, presenting grand jury indictments, all pre-trial matters and handled every aspect of the felony trial process. She has been lead attorney in over 40 trials including felony and misdemeanor criminal cases and civil cases.

In addition to being the lead trial attorney of her division in Hays County, she was responsible for answering any appeals that were filed in the cases she tried on behalf of the State of Texas. She has represented the State of Texas in oral arguments to the Third Court of Appeals.

Upon joining Dorsett, Johnson and Swift, Ms. Stanislaus is responsible for answering lawsuits, discovery requests and other aspects of civil defense litigation. She handles all of the criminal cases for the firm in both the Austin and surrounding areas and Dallas/ Fort Worth areas. She practices in both State and Federal Court.

Ms. Stanislaus sat on several boards of directors within the community including The Lake Travis Education Foundation. She also served two years as President of the Lakeway Elementary Parent Teacher Organization as well as President of the Hudson Bend Parent Teacher Organization. Ms. Stanislaus is a founding member of the Dell Children’s Trust of Texas and currently serves on the Black and White Ball committee which benefits the Texas Advocacy Project.

Professional Memberships

State Bar of Texas, member

Austin Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, member

Texas District and County Attorneys Association, member