LSA recently welcomed Staff Attorney Louise Tharaud to its Birmingham Office on March 18, 2019. A former volunteer and contract attorney for the program (2017), Tharaud currently works with housing problems.
A native of New Jersey, Tharaud graduated from Douglass College, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, and earned an M.A. from Institute of Fine Arts, New York University before earning her J.D. from the Birmingham School of Law (2013).
Tharaud began her legal career as a receptionist with a law firm, attending Birmingham School of Law at night.
“When I was growing up my mother had worked for an attorney and she allowed me to watch Perry Mason. So I always had in mind either English or History or Law,” Tharaud said. “Alas the job I had [at the time] ended … the job counselor at Birmingham Southern College said, ‘Did you know there is a paralegal course at Samford?’ I thought – oh perfect! I continued with the paralegal courses and continued working at the law office. The attorney finally said, “You need to go to Law school …”
Holding a bachelor’s and advanced degree, Tharaud has a background as a museum educator and college instructor in Art History.
While at LSA, Tharaud hopes to bring continued compassion and efficiency to her role, and gain more expertise in bankruptcy law. Additionally, she’d like to get more involved in outreach, specifically in collaboration with the Veterans Administration Medical Center for the Southeastern Regional Center for Blind Rehabilitation, Birmingham.
“I would like to expand the LSA outreach to that group of veterans in particular … if we do not help them on the spot, they will be able to contact their local LSA office,” Tharaud said. “Also, my church here in Birmingham has a monthly legal clinic. LSA could have an official presence there, too.”
In her spare time, Tharaud enjoys hiking in the woods with her husband, who is a Professor Emeritus at Birmingham-Southern College.
For more information about our Advocates, please visit: www.legalservicesalabama.org.
