Tara McGrath is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Investigations + White Collar Defense practice group and was previously the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California.

Tara focuses her practice on guiding clients through complex investigations, enforcement actions, and critical risk moments, informed by her extensive experience in federal litigation and senior government leadership. She advises companies and individuals on white collar, financial, and national security-related matters, with particular strength in navigating parallel proceedings, responding to government scrutiny, and addressing evolving cyber and regulatory challenges.

While serving as United States Attorney, Tara oversaw the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) enforcement efforts across a broad range of criminal and civil matters. Her tenure included leadership of high-profile cases involving corruption, cybercrime, environmental enforcement, organized crime, and fraud, as well as participation in DOJ-wide initiatives focused on national security and emerging threats. Tara previously spent more than a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and trial attorney with DOJ in San Diego and Washington, D.C., accruing significant first-chair trial and litigation experience and arguing multiple times before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Tara’s commitment to public service also includes active duty in the U.S. Marines and leadership roles across community organizations, business associations, and educational institutions. She has been recognized for her contributions with multiple awards from DOJ and the U.S. Department of Defense for innovation and excellence in enforcement, litigation, and national security matters.

Tara earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and received her B.A., cum laude, in political science from Boston College.