Tumara M. Thelen

Tumara Thelen is a senior associate in Burke’s Education practice group. She advises and represents clients on matters including evaluation and discipline of employees, workplace investigations, leave issues, and harassment and discrimination claims.

Tumara’s practice combines strategic risk management with practical solutions, ensuring compliance with evolving legal standards while minimizing exposure to litigation.

Throughout her career, Tumara has earned a reputation for guiding K–12 school districts, county offices, and community colleges through complex legal challenges. She has led policy development initiatives, compliance programs, and mediation efforts that consistently reduce organizational risk. Her expertise in ADA compliance and dispute resolution positions her as a trusted advisor within the education sector.

Prior to joining Burke, Tumara served as Senior Associate Counsel at Schools Legal Service. In that role, she managed investigations, drafted critical legal documents—including policies, disciplinary notices, and agreements—and delivered training programs on harassment prevention, employee discipline, and leave management. These efforts significantly improved compliance and reduced policy violations for her clients.

Earlier in her career, Tumara worked as a Child Support Attorney for the Kern County Department of Child Support Services. She represented the County in contested hearings and bench trials, achieving favorable outcomes in most cases. Her litigation experience, combined with strong negotiation skills, streamlined case preparation and improved enforcement of court orders.

Tumara began her legal career as an Associate Attorney in a private civil litigation family law practices. There, she honed her litigation skills and managed complex family law cases through drafting pleadings, attending depositions, and conducting witness interviews. This foundation strengthened her ability to navigate multifaceted legal issues with precision and professionalism.

Currently, Tumara serves as adjunct faculty at Kern County College of Law, where she shares her expertise with future legal professionals. Her career reflects a deep commitment to client advocacy, risk management, and legal education, making her a valued partner for educational institutions and beyond.