Anyone who had the good fortune of crossing paths with Robbie Malone has a great story to share. Larger than life in many ways, Robbie epitomized everything that is good about her home state of Texas. The accounts receivable management industry is a less-colorful place today because of her passing. To celebrate Robbie, AccountsRecovery.net reached out to many of those in the industry who knew her and asked them to share their thoughts or a story about Robbie.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share a memory or story about Robbie.
Michael Klutho, Bassford Remele
Robbie was a true icon in our Industry. She never shied from a fight. I will never forget her animated (and thankfully imaginary for those watching) “gun slinging” demonstrations when speaking about taking on opponents she faced while defending agencies in lawsuits. Robbie was unique and will be sorely missed. A legend in her own time. Rest in peace Robbie.
Mike Frost, Malone Frost Martin
I will say that Robbie was the most passionate defense attorney that I had the pleasure of working with both as a client and then ultimately as a partner in our firm. She was a great mentor to our employees, extremely caring and protective of her team. The two years I got to spend with her has been my most memorable and enjoyable time in my career.
Nick Prola, PFC
My first job out of law school was as a consumer attorney and almost immediately I had several cases with Robbie. I had a client in a small city in East Texas and was expecting Robbie’s call to discuss the case. She called, I answered, and the first thing she asked was “how do you pronounce the town where your client lives?” I don’t remember exactly what I said but, apparently, I did not pronounce “Nacogdoches” correctly in my (very slight) Chicago accent. Robbie laughed for probably 15 seconds (seemed like an hour) and then taught me a little bit about East Texas. It was horrifying and disarming at the same time. We always got along after that. Robbie was the best of people and I will miss her dearly.
Tim Collins, Indebted
Robbie was the litigator that I aspired to be knowing that I would never be able to attain her level of expertise, passion, and out-of-the-box thinking. She was a fighter that believed in doing what was right and not giving up. We worked together on many cases over the years and I learned something new every time. I so wanted to continue this connection with her that I joined her firm. In our last conversation, she was in her Corvette driving to work and I am guessing she had the petal to the metal, I was trying to decide what direction to go with my career, and she told me she wanted whatever was best for me. That my happiness was more important to her than what I could do for the firm. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity she gave me and the counsel she provided me not only on the cases we fought but in life as well. I will miss you Robbie. Thank you for being you. Love, Tim.
Cooper Walker, Malone Frost Martin
After graduating law school I took every interview I could. By chance (or perhaps by fate), I landed an interview with Robbie. The interview was not over before I knew I wanted to work for her. Although I had a few offers from other firms in the Dallas area, I called Robbie constantly to see if she was going to hire me. I just could not accept a position somewhere else without knowing if I could work for her. My consistent pestering paid off, and to my great benefit I got the job. It has been an honor to work for Robbie ever since. Robbie was a feared attorney and a fearless leader. Any credit I deserve for knowing what I’m doing as a lawyer belongs, in large part, to her. Through my years with the firm I was fortunate enough to develop a close friendship with Robbie which I held dear. Almost daily, Robbie would sit in the same spot on the couch in my office, a pillow in one hand and one leg tucked under the other, and we would talk about anything from the Dallas Cowboys to politics or to our spiritual life. Of all of the things I will miss about Robbie, I think I will miss the talks in my office the most.
Loraine Lyons, Malone Frost Martin
An incredible woman – that’s Robbie in a nutshell. I met Robbie over 20 years ago. At the time, I was the general counsel for an agency seeking defense counsel on an FDCPA matter. Robbie fit the bill; she was smart, knowledgeable, and I could tell she could kick @ss! On a personal level, Robbie was a great storyteller (a West Texas thing), she truly valued her clients and friendship, loved celebrating Christmas (really, an over the top 2-week celebration period at the firm), and loved her dogs and cows (Robbie named the cows at her ranch). Robbie also had style: Perfectly manicured nails, coiffured hair and a fast car.
Robbie was one of a kind and her death is tough. We have lost a distinguished legal mind, litigator, and friend. I am grateful to have had the distinct pleasure to work with a great female attorney, mentor, and friend. I am also grateful to be part of a firm to carry on Robbie Malone’s legacy.
Dale Golden, Golden Scaz Gagain
There are 100 “Robbie stories” I could tell, including her getting her picture taken very late in the evening at a bar in Boston with Rob O’Neill — whose face was the last thing bin Laden saw before his trip due south. But what I’ll always remember was hearing the “Robbie stories” about this scary attorney in Texas that was kicking backsides in consumer cases. I then met her and was surprised by both her diminutive physical stature and ego. She was brash and talked my ear off — we became instant friends. Despite her decades of success, she was also very humble and always willing to share her insights with those of us lucky enough to travel in her circle. She was not only a great friend, but made me a better lawyer. Robbie was pure Texas and loved to boast about the Glock 26 her husband Stuart — who also became a good friend of mine through Robbie — had given her as a gift.
Heath Morgan, Malone Frost Martin
Robbie certainly had a well-deserved reputation as a zealous advocate and fighter for our industry and the business owners that make up our industry. More than that, she had a smile, laugh, and charm that could captivate a room, and certainly a court room.
On a professional and partner level, Robbie has been one of the most generous people I have ever met or worked with. Not just to me, but to the attorneys and staff at the firm. She was very invested in intentionally leading and training new attorneys to grow up to love the industry as she did.
She was a rock star and power house for our industry, and helped pave the and show agencies that they had the ability to fight back against frivolous lawsuits. Her presence will be greatly missed in the industry, but I know her passion has created a legacy and inspired a younger generation of attorneys and agencies to keep up the good fight.
Xerxes Martin, Malone Frost Martin
I’ll save the funny ones for in person. Shortly after I got my license to practice, Robbie and I tried a case together. An extremely high-dollar settlement prove-up hearing was finishing up before our trial, involving a handful of prominent local attorneys. We walked into court and sat in the back. In the middle of the hearing one of those attorneys saw Robbie and he started waving aggressively yelling “hey Robbie!” in front of everyone and interrupting the hearing. Two of the other attorneys turned around and started doing the same thing despite whatever the judge may think! Needless to say, I was impressed. It didn’t take that long to see she received welcomes like that everywhere she knew people.
David Kaminski, Carlson & Messer
I met Robbie Malone years ago when I first became a member of the ACA. She greeted me with a strong handshake and a huge Texas drawl and said, “David, welcome to the club”. Throughout the years, we have worked together in various capacities – as members of various ACA committees, and as sometimes joint defense counsel in litigated matters throughout the US. Robbie was a fine and passionate lawyer, with excellent trial skills. There was nothing that she was not willing to try to get a good result on behalf of clients. She was also kind and giving, and would always discuss strategies and arguments and share among her peers. She was selfless in that regard. Robbie also had no compunction about telling you what she thought about a given situation. During my tenure as ACA MAP Chair, she never hesitated to give me suggestions on how we could make MAP better and stronger. We had great dialogue on so many topics that affected this industry. She also had a no holds barred approach when she did not like something that she thought needed to be rectified. “Justice” was something Robbie took very seriously. During one of our last conversations – this past February — in one of our joint cases, she said: “David, I know we may not win this case based on a statutory imbalance in favor of the consumer, but we sure as heck won’t go down without one hell of a fight”.
She will be greatly missed.
Caren Enloe, Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers
Our industry lost one of its shining stars with the death of Robbie Malone. She was a tough as nails litigator and at the same time, someone who saw it as her mission to mentor the next generation, especially female litigators. She had a brilliant legal mind and was a delightful story teller. Many, including me, are where we are today because of her mentorship. She will be dearly missed.
John Bedard, Bedard Law Group
Robbie was a warrior, admired by her peers, revered by her clients, and loved by her family and friends. Her fighting spirit lives on in those of us fortunate enough to have known and worked with her. She will be missed by Bedard Law Group, P.C.
Manny Newburger, Barron & Newburger
I had the pleasure of working with Robbie on a case a few years ago. She was a smart, highly competent attorney whom I respected and a friend whom I will miss. She was fun and engaging, and I know this is a great loss for all who knew her.
Stuart —-
I am so sorry! Robbie was an exceptional woman: POWERFUL, FUN, CARING and at the end of the day —- a women’s woman. So many brilliant and powerful women lose their ability to connect with everyday women – not Robbie. I truly loved each moment I spent with the both of you. I am sure she is in heaven keeping things exciting and making it a funner place for all. I look forward to seeing her again.
Much love to 2 people that were a joy to know and I will never forget —
Dr. Karen Cisler (Peltan)