Tara is an Idaho licensed attorney and Malek + Malek, PLLC co-owner. With vast experience in civil and criminal law, Tara practices in state and federal court in business and commercial litigation.
Previously, Tara worked as a Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor, a Special Assistant United States Attorney, and an Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office in Boise. Tara’s most significant career accomplishments include arguing a tax issue before the Idaho Supreme Court, which had widespread implications regarding the scope and breadth of a county’s authority in the collection of taxes on behalf of cities in Idaho.
Tara’s personal ‘why’ is the pursuit of justice. She believes that lawyers can change the world for the better by pursuing justice on behalf of clients. She is a first-generation Iranian American who is fluent in both Farsi and English. Tara holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Arizona and a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law, where she has taught trial advocacy to law students.
Committed to being a catalyst for positive change – especially for women and parents in the legal profession – Tara is a sought-after thought leader for workplace culture and has presented on both personal and professional leadership principles. Tara is a founding board member of the Idaho Contraceptive Education Network, a member of the Idaho State Bar’s Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers steering committee, and a board member for Idaho for All, Your Health Idaho, Mountain West Bank, and the University of Idaho Law Advisory Council.
Tara has also served as a legal pundit on nationally significant criminal cases for a number of media outlets.
In her free time, Tara enjoys reading, backpacking, hiking, skiing, and fly-fishing with her spoiled dog, Tequila.
BAR/COURT ADMISSIONS
- Idaho
EDUCATION
- J.D., University of Idaho College of Law
- B.A., University of Arizona
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Idaho 500, Idaho Business Review, 2025
- 40 Under 40, North Idaho Business Journal, 2024
- Notable Achievement Award, Idaho Women Lawyers, 2024
- Women of the Year, Circle of Excellence Honoree, Idaho Business Review, 2023
- Women of Distinction – Business & Professional Category, Coeur d’Alene Soroptimist, 2022
- Top 30 Under 40, Kootenai County Young Professionals, 2022
- Accomplished Under 40, Idaho Business Review, 2021
- Leaders in Law, Idaho Business Review, 2019
- Women of the Year Honoree, Idaho Business Review, 2018