40 Under 40: Tara Malek

Tara Malek, 39, joined Smith + Malek law firm in 2018. She serves both as an attorney and an owner.

"My journey here began after a fulfilling stint as a state and federal prosecutor, drawn by the opportunity to contribute to the firm's litigation practice and to continue fulfilling my personal 'why' - the pursuit of justice," Malek said.

In her role, Malek balances firm management duties and maintains a litigation caseload.

"I also find great value in mentoring new attorneys, aiming to foster their growth in the legal field," she said.

Malek said being named a 40 Under 40 winner is an honor for which she is deeply grateful.

"My commitment remains to the collaborative growth and excellence of our team at Smith + Malek," she said. "I am proud of our team's dedication to our mission and vision — to make tomorrow better than today and to be a force of justice in the world."