After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of California/Santa Barbara, Clifford Bernard Malone Jr. obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law. Clifford Bernard Malone Jr. passed the California Bar in 1975 and subsequently launched a private practice, where he specialized in criminal defense as well as personal injury, real estate, business, property management and family law matters. His work in criminal defense involved felony and misdemeanor prosecutions.

Also versed in construction law, Clifford Malone Jr. has represented general and sub contractors, equipment and material suppliers, architects and other professionals, as well as holding membership with the Associated General Contractors of America. One of his first cases as an attorney involved representing his uncle against the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund, which had denied him his pension due to an alleged break in service. He prevailed in this case, which was subsequently published in the law books and has since served as precedent for other break-in-service pension cases.

Complementing decades of experience as a lawyer, Mr. Malone Jr. has served on multiple legal committees and lectured on various topics for industry organizations. He also briefly served as small claims judge in the Contra Costa County Municipal Court and has provided consultancy services to attorneys throughout the US.