Insight

Malone Law's Legacy: Excellence as a Family Tradition

Like father, like son—Adam Malone carries on the family tradition of making a difference in the lives of personal injury sufferers.

Georgia Law Firm Malone Law
TC

Tess Congo

February 24, 2017 02:56 PM

Law seems woven into Adam Malone’s DNA. As the grandson of a trial judge and the son of a personal injury trial lawyer, Malone’s desire to practice law began as a child. “From my earliest memories, I’ve always wanted to be a trial lawyer,” says Malone. “My dad and granddaddy inspired me and I wanted to help people the way they did.”

Malone’s dad is none other than Tommy Malone, the famed personal injury attorney who, as a trail blazer in the courtroom, in the early 1980s won the second million-dollar verdict ever returned in the state of Georgia. That case was a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent trucking company for a truck wreck that killed a seven-year-old little girl and resulted in a $1.2 million verdict.

“At the time insurance adjusters didn’t think that children’s lives were worth much because you couldn’t demonstrate any lost earning capacity. Children had no work history to serve as a basis for those types of losses,” says Adam Malone. “The verdict was a clear message being sent by the citizens of the state of Georgia about the value of the lives of little children.”

Like his dad, Malone would go on to make a difference in the lives of many others. After graduating valedictorian from John Marshall Law School in 2000, Malone joined his father’s practice. Malone’s successful verdicts include a $24.5 million verdict that was the largest verdict ever returned in Dougherty County, Georgia (the former being a little over 6 million won by Malone’s father), and the Nestlehutt v. Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery verdict of 1.265 million.

Malone’s success with the Nestlehutt case had a lasting impact for all victims of medical negligence in Georgia. In Nestlehutt v. Atlanta, Malone represented 71-year-old Betty Nestlehutt who was severely disfigured by a cosmetic procedure. Nestlehutt’s doctor destroyed the blood supply to the temple segments of her face and her cheek segments, causing the skin to rot off and die, leaving her with deep, purple, disfiguring scars. As a real estate agent and the face of her business, Nestlehutt was financially impacted by the doctor’s error, as well as emotionally and physically. At the time the case was brought to trial, Georgia legislature had imposed a $350,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Quality legal representation, as well as expensive expert testimony, prohibited individuals victimized by preventable harm to proceed in lawsuits against those who were negligent against them. The Nestlehutt v. Atlanta case was appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court, where unanimously the $350,000 cap was overturned as it was deemed in violation of the Seventh Amendment Right to a Jury Trial.

While his father has retired due to a terminal cancer diagnosis, Malone continues to uphold his father as an inspiration. “He’s a really special man and continues to inspire me in so many ways. Even in his retirement as he faces his own battles with cancer, he continues to wake up every day and find someone else to fight for, someone else to help, including me,” says Malone.

“From my earliest memories, I’ve always wanted to be a trial lawyer. My dad and granddaddy inspired me and I wanted to help people the way they did.”

As for the future of Malone Law, the tradition may yet continue in a familial way. Malone’s three children—Maddie, Emilie, and Rosser—have the same curiosity Malone had as a child when he asked his father and grandfather about cases. “Their eyes seem to light up and their faces get bright when they realize they have figured something out on their own about what happened in a case and whether what happened was just an unfortunate and unpreventable accident or whether someone should be held responsible,” says Malone. “I’m very blessed that no matter what they choose to do, I know they will succeed.”

Like his father, Adam Malone will continue to tirelessly pursue justice for those suffering from trucking wrecks, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, medical malpractice, product defects and malfunctions, and airline and plane crashes due to the negligence of others. Whether Adam Malone’s children follow the path taken by their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather remains to be seen. Until then, Malone remains a model of excellence for his children and clients.

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky