James Louis Malone (December 22, 1931 – September 10, 1996) was an American lawyer who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs from 1981 to 1985.
Malone joined the faculty of the UCLA School of Law in 1961 as assistant dean and lecturer-in-law.
Malone was then the principal trial attorney of the United States Federal Maritime Commission 1970-71.
In 1976, President of the United States Gerald Ford named Malone Ambassador and U.S. Representative to the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament.
In February 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Malone to be Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.