Tamara Holder has never done anything the traditional way — and it has made her one of the most powerful women's rights attorneys in the country. She's the principal of Tamara Holder Law, a Chicago-based boutique firm she founded in 2005 focusing on women's rights globally — including sex trafficking, sexual assault, workplace harassment, and institutional sexual abuse. She spearheaded the largest doctor-patient sexual abuse case in Illinois history, testified before Congress, and for nearly a decade, was the only progressive female legal analyst on Fox News.
In this episode, we get into all of it — the evolution, the personal pivot, the work, and how she keeps showing up even when the weight is heavy.
In this episode we cover:
- Why she never went to big law — and how she built everything on her own terms
- Her years as the lone female progressive voice on Fox News and what it really cost her
- The personal experience 10 years ago that changed the entire direction of her career
- The landmark Twin Peaks case and what a 54-plaintiff win actually looks like
- The Dr. Mark Mulholland case in Washington — representing 170+ women against a doctor and the institutions that protected him
- Her advice for women leveling up: "lie to yourself until you believe it"
- Why The Body Keeps the Score is the book she buys for strangers at restaurants
- Phish, Pucci, her Italian husband, and finding joy in the middle of heavy work
Connect with Tamara Holder:
- Website: tamaraholderlaw.com
- Instagram (professional): @womensrightsattorney
- Instagram (personal): @tamara_holder
Work with Erin Gerner: Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, identity, and what's next — helping them redefine success on their own terms.
Stay connected with Erin Gerner:
- Website: eringerner.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-gerner/
- Instagram: @eringerner
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erin.w.gerner/about
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What is Powerhouse Lawyers?
Are you an ambitious attorney who wants to build a life and career that you cannot wait to wake up for? Then you're in the right place.
Welcome to Powerhouse Lawyers, a podcast for the Powerhouse in each of us.
I am your host, Erin Gerner. A former lawyer, wife, mom, and life coach, and I am on a mission to empower women in the law to define success on their terms, by leveraging their unique superpowers to help them win in both law and life. Join me each week to hear inspiring stories, real talk, and practical tips.
You need to redefine the toxic narratives that are keeping women overwhelmed, trying to do it all. You are worthy and capable of building a life and career that you have always wanted, and I'm here to empower you along the way. So if you are ready to practice law differently, let's go.