Smyser Kaplan & Veselka, L.L.P, a leading litigation boutique in Houston, Texas has announced that Karima Maloney has been named to the Firm’s Executive Committee. Ms. Maloney succeeds Shaun Clarke, head of the firm’s white-collar practice.
“Karima is a fantastic lawyer and person, with strong values and sharp intelligence. We welcome her leadership skills, sound thinking, and broad perspective to our governing committee,” said Craig Smyser, founder and partner at SKV. “Her prominence within our firm will elevate our visibility in the business community both locally and nationally.”
David Isaak, a member of SKV’s Executive Committee, said of Ms. Maloney, “ Karima is an outstanding trial lawyer with experience in civil and criminal matters, including experience at the U.S. Department of Justice where she managed a prosecution unit for several years. As we move forward, we anticipate that her active participation in firm management will help us navigate Houston’s highly competitive legal market.”
Since joining SKV in 2016, Ms. Maloney has played a significant role in a number of complex matters and trials. She is widely respected in her practice areas, which include both criminal and civil litigation. Her trial skills were honed over years of bringing and winning difficult federal criminal cases. During her twelve years with the Department of Justice, she was trusted to handle high-profile official misconduct, human trafficking, and hate crime prosecutions across the country. She now represents businesses and individuals in government investigations and prosecutions, and in complex civil disputes in federal and state courts. In addition to her trial work, Ms. Maloney has taken an active role mentoring a number of associates and law students and frequently volunteers with organizations around Houston.
Ms. Maloney received her J.D. from Columbia Law School where she was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. Ms. Maloney served as law clerk to the Honorable Vanessa D. Gilmore of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
“I’m excited to add my perspective to the executive committee as SKV continues to grow and expand its client relationships across the country”, said Ms. Maloney. “There aren’t many women of color serving on executive committees among our peer firms. I respect SKV’s commitment to inclusion and providing leadership opportunities to candidates who have traditionally faced the glass ceiling. This is an ingredient of a successful and forward-thinking law firm.”
SKV is a top rated Texas based litigation firm. In addition to their Houston office, SKV recently opened an office in New Orleans, Louisiana to further expand their footprint and business reach nationally. SKV is committed to continuing to add diverse leadership and talent to the firm, and the addition of Ms. Maloney to the Executive Committee is an exciting step forward in those efforts.
For more information, contact:
Kelli Betner
Director of Communications
kbetner@skv.com
713-221-2388
