Leading the Way

Janica Pierce Tucker ’02 is a dynamic force within the Columbus legal community. Whether representing clients or mentoring young lawyers and leaders, she embodies professional excellence and compassion. Pierce Tucker’s journey serves as inspiration for both aspiring attorneys and seasoned practitioners.  

Cultivating an interest in law 

Some part of Pierce Tucker always knew she would work in law. As part of an assignment in first grade, she wrote that she wanted to be a lawyer. When she eventually graduated from law school, Pierce Tucker’s grandmother gave her the framed assignment as a gift. It hangs in her office to this day.  

But the road through law school was not always easy. No one in her family went to law school, so she did not know what to expect while attending. The relationships she formed with her classmates helped make the transition into and journey throughout law school easier.  

“The relationships that you build in law school are different from your undergraduate experiences,” she said. “In law school, you are with the same people all the time and it’s that grouping follows you throughout your experience - and often stays with you beyond.” 

Pierce Tucker also formed profound relationships with several professors, and she stays connected with them.  

“I had Professor (Charlie) Wilson for Civil Procedure, and his excitement and different way of teaching the subject always resonated with me,” she said. “I also had the pleasure of taking classes from Dean (Robert) Solomon and Dean (Kathy) Northern. Each of them really invested in me and took an interest in my success.” 

Creating a career path  

After graduation, Pierce Tucker knew that she wanted to practice employment law. However, she started practicing as a trial lawyer, learning how to try cases related to personal injury. She then went on to join Chester, Wilcox & Saxbe, LLP, where she gained more experience with litigation. Eventually, she was given the opportunity to provide day-to-day counsel to companies and universities about employment matters. Pierce Tucker is grateful for the path she ended up pursuing.   

“When I was given the opportunity in employment law, I was better at it because of the time I spent in litigation developing my ability to assess risk,” she said.  

Now, Pierce Tucker serves as partner-in-charge of the Taft Stettinius & Hollister’s Columbus office. She continues to represent clients, including colleges, universities, and primary and secondary schools, in all aspects of labor and employment law. She advises employers regarding legal planning and policy development. In recognition of her work, Pierce Tucker has been listed in Ohio Super Lawyers for employment and labor law. Additionally, she was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers 2024 in education law for Columbus.  

Pierce Tucker has also made significant contributions to the greater Columbus community. In 2022, she was honored with a Women of Achievement Award from YWCA Columbus. With all that she has accomplished, though, Pierce Tucker considers reaching partnership to be her greatest success so far.  

“When you look at the statistics around Black females reaching partnership, it’s a small percentage of individuals,” she said. “It’s a great professional success, not only for me personally, but also hopefully for others. I am a true believer that you have to see it to believe it. I hope I can serve as motivation for others that come behind me who can say, hey, if she did it, I can do it.” 

Empowering and inspiring others  

Recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of legal minds, Pierce Tucker invests time and effort in guiding aspiring attorneys. She encourages them to continue to find opportunities for growth and learning. 

“It is important to learn from and celebrate your failure as much as you celebrate a victory or success,” Pierce Tucker shared. “For many years, I kept all the feedback I received on my writing and tried very hard not to commit the same mistake twice. That was my check to make sure I was learning from my mistakes and learning from what may feel like a failure in a particular instance. The feedback I received are lessons that I’ve continued to carry with me.”  

Additionally, Pierce Tucker advises law students to think creatively when it comes to their careers. 

“Being a lawyer brings with it a certain way of thinking, approaching problems, and analyzing different perspectives and strategies,” she said. “That is a skill set that can be used in so many different ways by so many different organizations. I encourage students to be open to the endless opportunities that life presents you.” 

Pierce Tucker is a testament to the impact one individual can have within the legal profession and beyond. Through her dedication to her work and her community, she continues to make a lasting impact.