Clinical Associate Professor Kristin Baughman spent 18 years practicing commercial litigation and appeals before joining Utah Law as one of the newest faculty members this upcoming academic year. She comes to us most recently from Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar in Salt Lake City.
In addition, Baughman previously taught legal writing at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, where she also received her JD degree in 2007.
“I am passionate about legal writing and oral advocacy because they are where precision meets persuasion—every word has the power to shape the outcome. I have first-hand experience that well-crafted arguments can win cases and can turn complex legal ideas into straightforward, compelling narratives,” she says.
Starting this fall, Baughman will teach the Legal Methods class required for all 1L students, which covers the fundamentals of legal writing and analysis. She will also teach the upper-level litigation skills classes.
Baughman declares she’s “addicted” to law students and is thrilled to be working with them.
“I love their energy, brilliant minds, and good hearts. I am looking forward to getting to know the students, both incoming 1Ls and returning students,” she says. “I love that I get to spend two semesters with my 1L Legal Methods students; we will get to know each other very well over the course of the year and will have some great learning experiences together.”
Baughman is also eager to work alongside the Utah Law’s faculty.
“I really appreciate the exceptional quality of the faculty at the law school. They’re not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in student success. They’ve been very welcoming and generous. It will be a privilege to work alongside such dedicated and caring educators,” she says.
Outside of work, Baughman enjoys spending time with her husband and supporting her children in their extracurricular activities, including volleyball and musical theater.
“I also enjoy watching PBS Masterpiece period dramas and Michael Schur comedies, sewing clothes, reading, and advocating for the Oxford comma,” she says.