Mediator & Author

Malia Howard,

I am a native of Fort Worth, Texas.  I graduated from Eastern Hills HS and the University of North Texas. My undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Speech Communications and Drama and minoring in Political Science.  Then it was on to the University of Texas at Austin, School of Law, where I obtained my Juris Doctor degree.

I started my legal career working in a small west Texas town, Eastland, practicing family law and other poverty law related legal matters for West Texas Legal Service.  Next, was a long stint in my family's business, Joe Howard Lumber Company, where I rose up the ranks to Executive VP.

In early 1990, I opened my own law office where I focused on Family Law, Bankruptcy, Probate and other routine legal matters.

In 1998, I entered a new phase of my career when I contracted with Ross & Matthews to provide consultation services for PrePaid Legal members.  This led me to add new areas of practice, including immigration law, intellectual property and numerous consumer protection topics, including the Texas Lemon Law, Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

In 2001, I published a career biography on actor Jonathan Frid, most famous for his role as Barnabas Collins on "Dark Shadows".  Mr. Frid was a master actor with an extensive theatrical career spanning the years before and after the television public first became aware of him in 1967.  To learn more, go to the "Curious Journey" tab on this website.

In recent years, I have worked in the banking industry focusing on bankruptcy and foreclosure.  My role there was as a manager and analyst, including involvement with the repercussions of the 2008 Mortgage Crisis-  The National DOJ Settlement and the OCC Consent Order.

Now, I have launched a Mediation and Arbitration Practice where I will utilize my wide experience to assist litigants and persons with non-legal  conflicts to work to reach a resolution.