Dorothy L. Tarver was born in Heidelberg, Germany. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Orleans, where she majored in Sociology and Political Science, with a minor in English. While studying at the University of New Orleans she was active in the Political Science Student Association and the Student Government Association. Ms. Tarver graduated from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2004 with a degree in Civil Law and a certificate in International Law. She studied abroad at Eotvos Lorand University School of Law, Budapest, Hungary in 2002; the University of Vienna Law School in 2003; Rome University of Law in 2004; and attended the Loyola University New Orleans School of Law-European Union Law Studies Seminar in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg. Ms. Tarver is primarily engaged in medical malpractice, admiralty and commercial litigation.  She has extensive experience in insurance defense litigation in state and federal courts. She is admitted to practice before the U. S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana; the U. S. District Court Western District of Louisiana; the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana; the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; the U. S. District Court Northern District of Florida and all state courts.