Marisa Maleck, a partner at King & Spalding LLP and a former U.S. Supreme Court clerk, passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2023, at the age of 37. Her death shocked and saddened her family, friends, colleagues, and the legal community. She was widely regarded as an intellectually curious, vibrant, and generous person who had a passion for learning and advocacy. What was the cause of her death and how did she leave such a remarkable legacy in her short life?
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A Sudden Stroke That Took Her Life
According to Legacy Remembers, Marisa Maleck died of a massive stroke after what appears to have been a spontaneous brain stem hemorrhage. A brain stem hemorrhage is a rare and often fatal condition that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain stem ruptures and causes bleeding in the brain. The brain stem is responsible for controlling vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and consciousness. A brain stem hemorrhage can cause severe damage to these functions and lead to coma or death.
The exact cause of Marisa Maleck’s brain stem hemorrhage is unknown, but some possible risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, blood disorders, head trauma, and aneurysms. However, none of these factors were reported to be present in Marisa Maleck’s case. Her death was sudden and unexpected, leaving her family and friends in shock and grief.
A Stellar Career That Made an Impact
Marisa Maleck had a stellar career that spanned litigation, regulatory matters, public policy, technology, and life sciences. She was a graduate of Amherst College and the University of Chicago Law School, where she excelled academically and received several awards for her excellence in appellate advocacy and service to the law school community.
She began her legal career as an associate at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington, D.C., where she worked on complex civil and criminal cases and was involved in pro bono work for victims of human trafficking and racial discrimination. She also had a keen interest in constitutional law and public policy issues.
She fulfilled her dream of working for the U.S. Supreme Court when she was selected by Justice Clarence Thomas as one of his clerks for the 2015-2016 term. She was privileged to interact with the various justices of the court and their clerks and to contribute to the court’s decisions on important cases. She also clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, who helped prepare her for the Supreme Court experience.
In 2016, she joined King & Spalding LLP as an associate attorney on the appellate team and was promoted to partner in 2020. She specialized in data privacy and security matters, advising clients on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, responding to government investigations and enforcement actions, and litigating privacy-related disputes. She also represented clients in the life sciences industry on FDA-related issues, such as product approvals, labeling, advertising, recalls, inspections, and enforcement actions.
She was recognized as one of the top attorneys under 40 by Law360 in 2021 for her accomplishments in both data privacy and life sciences. She was also praised by her colleagues for her intellectual curiosity, vibrant personality, generous spirit, and pro bono commitment. She handled numerous pro bono cases for indigent defendants through federal appellate appointments as part of the Criminal Justice Act program and as a screener for the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project.
Following her death, King & Spalding established an internal award in her honor for the attorney who best embodies her commitment to pro bono work.
A Loving Daughter, Sister, and Friend Who Touched Many Lives
Marisa Maleck was not only a brilliant lawyer but also a loving daughter, sister, and friend who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She was born on June 16, 1985 in West Springfield, Massachusetts to Maria F. Rodriguez-Maleck and Paul M. Maleck. She had a younger sister named Marta Rodriguez Maleck who lives in New Orleans.
She grew up in a bilingual household where she learned to speak both English and Spanish fluently. She also learned French in school and traveled extensively around the world. She loved to learn new things and read everything from an impressively young age until her final days.
She had an effervescent personality and a pure soul who wanted to make a difference and make people around her happy. She was humble, despite her many achievements, and preferred to listen to others rather than talk about herself. She had a fierce sense of justice and a strong moral compass that guided her actions. She was also adventurous and loved to try new things, such as cooking, eating, and celebrating life to the fullest.
She had many friends who loved her and admired her. She made friends everywhere she went and maintained close relationships with them. She was always there to support, encourage, and help her friends in any way she could. She was also loyal, trustworthy, and respectful of others.
She was deeply loved by her family who were proud of her and cherished her. She was a devoted daughter who cared for her parents and a supportive sister who looked out for her sibling. She was also a fun-loving aunt who adored her niece and nephew. She was always in touch with her family and made time to visit them whenever she could.
Her family is profoundly saddened by her sudden death and miss her terribly. They are grateful for the time they had with her and the memories they shared. They are also thankful for the outpouring of love and support they have received from Marisa’s friends and colleagues.
A Brilliant Lawyer Gone Too Soon
Marisa Maleck was a brilliant lawyer who made an impact in the legal profession and the society at large. She was also a loving daughter, sister, and friend who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She died of a sudden stroke that took her life at the age of 37. Her death is a tragic loss for everyone who knew her and admired her. She will be remembered for her intellect, passion, spirit, and heart. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
