Biography

Mary Ellen Malas focuses her practice on Domestic Relations and Family Law matters. She is keenly aware that when her clients are dealing with matters of this type, they usually are experiencing intense anxiety, stress and fear. Mary Ellen is able to work with her clients during these difficult times to develop creative solutions that meet their individual needs.

Mary Ellen is passionate in her representation of her clients. She believes that most clients are best served if they are able to resolve their conflicts outside of the courtroom, where they are able to control their own outcomes. 

Mary Ellen is an original member of the Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Professionals (“CACP”) founded in 1997. As a member of the CACP, Mary Ellen has acquired specialized training in negotiation skills and conflict resolution techniques. As a collaborative lawyer, Mary Ellen is committed to helping parties achieve an agreed resolution of their financial issues along with allocating parental rights and responsibilities, all while helping couples maintain their dignity, respect and privacy. This is especially important for parents who will have an ongoing co-parenting relationship requiring communication and cooperation while raising their children.

Mary Ellen is also a trained and experienced mediator. As a mediator, she is able to use her skills and expertise to help families achieve resolution in an out of court setting. Both the collaborative and mediation approach allow clients to keep the negotiations surrounding the termination of their marriage private.

When alternative paths to resolution fail, Mary Ellen is prepared to litigate. Mary Ellen has extensive experience litigating complex cases that often involve privately held businesses, business valuations, high net worth assets and difficult custody issues. As a result, Mary Ellen has long-standing relationships with highly respected experts in all related fields, including valuation experts, forensic accountants and family relations experts, all of whom provide specialized support in cases resolved both outside of court and in litigation. 

Mary Ellen frequently represents community leaders, business owners, educators, professional athletes, entertainers and their spouses in all aspects of family law including divorce, dissolution, spousal support actions, proceedings involving custody and support, legal separations, and prenuptial agreements. 

As a Partner at Keating Muething & Klekamp, Mary Ellen has direct access to her talented and experienced partners and associates in the areas of Real Estate, Estate Planning, Business Law, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, and Tax Law.

Professional and Community Involvement

Cincinnati Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

Domestic Relations Committee

Collaborative Family Lawyers of Cincinnati

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, Secretary

Awards & Recognition

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2024

Named Ohio Super Lawyer, 2007-2009, 2013-2022

Named one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Ohio, 2007

Named one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Cincinnati, Cincinnati Magazine, 2007, 2016

Named to Cincy Leading Lawyers, 2005-2023

  • Best Lawyers (Don't Delete)
  • Super Lawyers (Don't Delete)
  • Cincy Leading Lawyers
  • Peer Review (Don't Delete)

News & Resources

Speaking Engagements

Admissions

  • Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Education

J.D., Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, 1991

B.A., University of Cincinnati, 1984

Jump to Page
Close

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies collect information about your choices and preferences, and collect information about your use of the Sites and Services which enable us to improve functionality.

Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage. We access and process information from these cookies at an aggregate level.