Kalen Malone

Kalen is originally from Oklahoma, and moved to Texas in 2001 to be closer to family and continue her education. While attending Wharton County Junior College in Richmond, Kalen was a leading force for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Zeta Xi chapter. She was elected as the historian for Zeta Xi and also as their national voting delegate. She represented her chapter at the state conference for Junior Colleges in Tyler, Texas, and then at the National conference held in Anaheim, California. Also while at Wharton County Junior College, the dean of the school tapped her to be the head of the Academic Honesty Council, a group of administrators, professors, and students who conduct an impartial “trial” to determine guilt or innocence in cases of student misconduct, and then determine an appropriate punishment. It was at this time that Kalen became interested in advocating for others. She began tailoring her education in order to have a firm foundation for a law degree. While attending Wharton, Kalen was on the Dean’s List every semester and earned the highest honors for her academic achievements. Kalen was the recipient of several academic and merit based scholarships including the George Foundation Scholarship and the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. Kalen also participated in a myriad of community service projects and events, such as Santa Behind the Badge Toy Drive, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation fund raisers and Walk-for-Life, Lion’s Club Eyeglass Drive, and the Tate Children’s Shelter Toy Drive. During graduation, Kalen was recognized for her outstanding achievement and participation with Wharton County Junior College and was awarded the prestigious Wharton County Junior College President’s Award and the Phi Theta Kappa Sealock award.

While attending the University of Houston, Kalen majored in History and Corporate Communications, and excelled in every class. Just as she did for Wharton, Kalen was elected to serve on the University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences academic honesty council. With a much bigger school and larger student body, Kalen conducted numerous hearings in which testimony and oral argument was given and considered during the decision phase of the process. Recognizing Kalen’s enthusiasm for learning and involvement, Kalen was honored to be chosen as the protégé of Dr. Martha Haun, Ph.D., who also hired Kalen to work in the Communications Department of the University.

Kalen attended South Texas College of Law, and was very active in the hands-on advocacy programs offered there. Kalen earned highest honors in Mock Trial Litigation, Appellate Advocacy, Trends in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Kalen was especially interested in the criminal law, medical law and forensics courses she took; she even attended two live autopsies at the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office (and actually enjoyed it)! During the time that Kalen attended South Texas College of Law, she interned in the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office Felony Division. Among many of her duties there, she was present in Pedro Ruiz’s drug court every Monday afternoon helping to prosecute drug offenders. During her internship, she developed strong professional relationships with many of the judges and assistant district attorneys in Fort Bend County.

After Kalen graduated from law school, she was asked by the editor of a local newspaper, The Fulshear Times, to write a legal advice column for them. At this time, Kalen was working in a small general practice office. Kalen also became an attorney ad litem and has been appointed to represent children who have been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse; she has even represented indigent parents who have been involved with the Texas Department of Family and Children’s Services. Kalen works closely with the courts, CPS and CASA to ensure that these families are reunified if possible and offered the proper rehabilitative services. Advocating for those who truly need a voice in the courtroom is something Kalen feels very passionate about. After joining the Adams Law Firm in 2009, Kalen found her niche in family law and criminal law. She has garnered numerous favorable decisions for her clients in cases that have gone to trial, and her clients have been extremely impressed with the compassion she shows for them with the tenacity to fight for their best interests in the court room.