Attorney Michael Malley dies at 78

Attorney Michael Malley died Aug. 9 at Arbor Hospice, a year and a day after his diagnosis with a glioblastoma.

A native of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, Malley was the son of a lawyer who was killed in World War II. Malley and his mother moved to the United States in the 1950s when she married a USAF pilot, William Hauck.

After graduating from Yale University with a dual degree in philosophy and physics. Malley spent two years in the U.S. Army, working in intelligence. During that time he met Adrienne, his wife of 54 years.

In 1964 the couple moved to Ann Arbor, where Malley graduated from Michigan Law near the top of his class then started a private law practice in Ann Arbor, specializing in small business and franchise law.

In 1990, he received the Pro Bono Award from the Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association; and his commitment to pro bono legal work lasted until his death.

Malley played soccer at Yale and later coached his three children, eventually founding the Ann Arbor Arsenal Soccer Association and then the U-M Men's Club team. In 1990, he became co-chair of the Michigan World Cup Committee and was key in obtaining the three World Cup games played in 1994 at the Pontiac Silverdome. After that he and his wife traveled the world to attend World Cup Soccer games. In 2015, he was inducted into the Michigan Soccer Hall of Fame.

Malley's efforts led to the establishment of the Washtenaw County Veterans Treatment Court and the Veterans Legal Clinic at Michigan Law, as well as the creation of the U-M Student Veterans Association.

A memorial celebration will take place at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Dawn Farm Community Barn, 6633 Stoney Creek Road, Ypsilanti. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Dawn Farm at the above address; the Veterans Legal Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School, c/o Joshua Kay, 625 South State St., Ann Arbor 48109-1215; or the Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd., Ann Arbor, 48105.

Published: Fri, Sep 09, 2016