Rhonda L. Mallory

Rhonda L. Mallory brings more than thirty five years of legal experience to her work as a mediator at Signature Resolution, offering a steady, empathetic, and highly informed approach to resolving complex disputes. Known for her ability to understand the personal and emotional dimensions of conflict, she creates space for parties to feel heard while guiding them toward practical and durable outcomes. Her mediation style centers on active listening, preparation, and adaptability. She helps parties evaluate risk, explore settlement options, and move through impasse with thoughtful, respectful engagement. Her background as both a trial attorney and a leader within government legal departments informs her balanced, resolution-focused approach.

At Signature Resolution, Mallory focuses on employment matters, civil rights disputes, eminent domain and inverse condemnation, dangerous condition of public property cases, personal injury claims, and general liability matters. Having served in both public and private sectors, she understands the pressures faced by individuals, corporations, and government agencies. This perspective allows her to identify underlying interests, anticipate challenges, and facilitate productive negotiations across a wide range of conflicts.

Mallory’s legal career began in medical malpractice litigation after earning her juris doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. She then spent eleven years as a senior trial attorney and lead counsel for Allstate Insurance, where she handled premises liability and automobile negligence matters and later managed the San Diego office. Her transition to public service began with her role as a deputy attorney at the California Department of Transportation, where she litigated complex dangerous condition cases, negligence claims against the state and its employees, employment disputes, and eminent domain matters involving major transportation and infrastructure projects.

Most recently, Mallory served as a supervising deputy attorney general in the torts and condemnation section of the California Department of Justice. There she led a team of attorneys handling excessive force and civil rights claims, dangerous condition of public property actions, eminent domain and inverse condemnation matters, and other litigation involving public entities. A significant part of her leadership role involved training attorneys in effective dispute resolution and guiding teams toward settlement in high-stakes cases.

Mallory has been an active leader in the legal community. She is a past president of the San Diego Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and serves on the Board of the San Diego Inns of Court, where she supports professional development and elevated standards of practice. In 2022, she received the Hughes McClenahan Civility Award, a lifetime achievement honor recognizing professionalism, collaboration, and civility in the law.

Her decision to join Signature Resolution reflects her genuine interest in people and her belief that resolving disputes thoughtfully allows parties to move forward with clarity and closure. Known for her empathy, calm presence, and dedication to understanding each party’s story, Mallory brings a measured and compassionate approach to every matter. Her ability to blend legal insight with emotional intelligence helps parties navigate conflict with confidence and reach meaningful resolution.