Background
Krista Mahalak was raised in rural Polk County and attended primary and secondary school here. She began focusing on trial work in law school, where she was awarded both the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award and the Outstanding Clinical Student of the Year Award. She has been a practicing lawyer since graduating from law school in 2002. She handles a broad range of civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on complex divorce litigation, negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, business litigation, real estate litigation, and probate litigation. Working to achieve the particular goals of each client is the top priority of her practice.
Education
Ms. Mahalak received a B.A. in English Literature in 1998 from Bethany College and her law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2002.
Admissions and Associations
Ms. Mahalak is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. She served on the Board of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven from 2017-2020. Since 2018, Ms. Mahalak has served as a member of the 10th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission, which selects nominees to fill judicial vacancies; she has served as its Chair from 2021-2023. In 2021, she also began a term as a member of the 10th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, which investigates grievances filed against Florida attorneys. Ms. Mahalak is a member of the Polk Association for Women Lawyers and the Willson American Inn of Court. She provides free legal assistance to disadvantaged members of the community through Florida Rural Legal Services and as a Guardian Ad Litem Attorney.
Honors and Recognitions
Ms. Mahalak is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell and Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law.
Personal
Ms. Mahalak lives in Winter Haven with her husband, Alex, and their two sons.