Malaika Eaton is a trial lawyer and Member of McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren, in Seattle, Washington. She is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, recognized as "the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America." She is currently the Washington State Chair for that organization. Malaika’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in both federal and state courts, where she has a successful track record of representing numerous clients in jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations, including as lead counsel. In addition to her trial practice, she has significant experience in appellate litigation, including interlocutory appeals and expedited appeals in federal and state courts, including in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Before joining McNaul Ebel, she practiced at Heller Ehrman LLP. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas G. Nelson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after earning her J.D. and Masters of Public Administration with a focus on environmental policy from Cornell University.
Malaika is a socially active leader in her field who is committed to using her talents and insight to benefit her community. She has earned numerous awards for her pro bono service, including Heller Ehrman’s annual Richard E. Guggenheim Award, which was awarded in recognition of her “exceptional commitment” to pro bono work. In addition, Malaika sat on the Board of Directors for Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle and served as president of Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association USA. She was a founding member of the steering committee for the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, and she has served as faculty for a number of Washington State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Malaika is a dedicated bike commuter, rain or shine. When she is not representing her clients or biking, she enjoys skiing, yoga, snowshoeing, swimming, kayaking, baking, and doing her best to keep up with her three very active kids, ranging from middle school to college.