Tara Elcock Esq.
Shop Attorney & Mediator
Tara Elcock is an Iowa attorney with more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate some of life’s most difficult legal challenges. Her practice focuses on family law, juvenile law, probate, guardianships, adoptions, mediation, and appellate advocacy.
Tara joined The Law Shop in 2022 after operating her own law firm for 17 years. Known for her calm and strategic approach, she works to help clients feel informed, supported, and confident throughout the legal process — especially during high-conflict or emotionally difficult situations.
A Marshalltown, Iowa native, Tara attended Iowa State University, where she was a four-year letterwinner and earned a degree in Accounting. She later graduated from Drake University Law School, earning both her Juris Doctor and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Tara has argued cases before the Iowa Court of Appeals and continues to pursue education in mediation and collaborative divorce. She believes strong advocacy and practical problem-solving can coexist, and she is committed to helping clients move forward with clarity and stability.
Outside the office, Tara enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband Marc and their sons, Noah and Myls, and cheering on her boys in all of their activities.
PRESENT
Professional Affiliations
Member, Iowa Bar Association
Member, Warren County Bar Association
Member, Dallas County Bar Association
Member, Iowa Collaborative Divorce
Volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project
Community Leadership
Co-Creator, Sponsor and Administrator of See Color – Be Change, a community-based leadership group promoting diversity in city, school, and local communities and programs Contributor in City Government in re-engaging the Human Relations Committee and recently appointed as a member of the Comittee
Athletic Booster and Sponsor for Indianola Community School Athletics
PAST
Elcock Law Firm, PLC, Indianola, Iowa, Managing Partner, Owner, June 2005 – August 2022
Drake University Legal Clinic, Des Moines, Iowa, Adjunct Instructor, General Civil Clinic, May 2006 – August 2008, Summer 2011, Summer 2012, and Summer 2013–summers only
Drake University Legal Clinic, Des Moines, Iowa, Adjunct Professor, Elder Law Clinic, January 2007 – August 2008
Law Firm of Steven V. Lawyer & Associates, PLC, Des Moines, Iowa, Associate Litigation Attorney, May 5, 2003 – June 2005.
Nyemaster, Goode, Voigts, West, Hansell & O’Brien, PC, Des Moines, Iowa, Tax Consultant through tax season, January 2003-April 2003
Legal Aid Society of Polk County, Des Moines, Iowa, Family Law Attorney, May 2002-November 2002
Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, Research Assistant to Professor Sally Frank, January 2002 – May 2002
Iowa Civil Liberties Union, Des Moines, Iowa, Lobbyist Intern with Marty Ryan, January 2002 – May 2002
Roxanne Conlin & Associates, Des Moines, Iowa, Law Clerk, October 2000 – May 2002
Drake University Legal Clinic (General Civil), Des Moines, Iowa, Student Attorney, August 2001 – May 2002
Senator Maggie Tinsman, Des Moines, Iowa, Legislative Intern, January 2001 – May 2001
Drake Legal Clinic (Administrative Health Law), Des Moines, Iowa, Student Attorney, August 2000 to December 2000
Peddicord, Wharton, Spencer, & Hook, Des Moines, Iowa, Law Clerk, Summer 2000 – September 2000
Professional Affiliations
Board of Directors, Indianola Preschool, May 2010 – May 2013
Board of Directors, Iowa Civil Liberties Union, March 2004 – October 2008
Cooperating Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa
Member, Iowa Bar Association
Member, Warren County Bar Association
Volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project
Honors and Activities
Appointed by Mayor Preston Daniels to the Hate Crimes Task Force
Pi Alpha Alpha, National Honorary Society for Public Administration
Ferguson Prize—Drake Law School
Who’s Who in America in Law School 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002
Member, Iowa State University Track & Field Team, 1994-1998
Four-Year Athletic Scholarship Recipient
Big 8 and Big 12 Conference Place Winner & Four Year Letterwinner
Community Leadership
Sponsor and Community Volunteer for Market at the Square—an Indianola-based Farmer’s Market
Sponsor and Volunteer for Indianola Baseball Club
Bootcamp Instructor at Fusion Fitness in Indianola—2011-2016
Board of Directors, Indianola Preschool, Inc.—Vice-President/Secretary 2011-2012 and President 2012-2013
Board of Directors and Cooperating Attorney, Iowa Civil Liberties Union
Hate Crimes Task Force – Panelist
Iowa Civil Rights Commission – Screening cases as a cooperating attorney
Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project – family law attorney for indigent citizens
Drake Legal Clinic – guardian ad litem and volunteer attorney, prior to employment with the clinic