Krista Lee Baughman

A.H., a minor, et al. v. Saint Francis High School et al., Santa Clara County Superior Court, 2024) – following an 8-week jury trial against private high school for arbitrary expulsion and defamation of minor students, obtained million-dollar verdict clearing students’ names and expanding California law to afford fair process rights to all high school students.

In re: Marla Anne Brown, (State Bar of California, October 2023) – following a 5-day trial, obtained full exoneration of all disciplinary charges accusing attorney client of “inciting violence” with rhetorical tweets, setting precedent protecting all California attorneys who wish to exercise their free speech rights without fear of punishment.

Reiterman v. Abid (U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, pro hac vice). Obtained rare take-down orders in initial stage of defamation lawsuit, in connection with anonymous cyber campaign published about client on Reddit, Google, Microsoft, WordPress, Change.org and others. Obtained $6.5 million judgment for client following victory on appeal and summary judgment.

Alonso v. Chahal (San Francisco Superior Court). Defeated appeal and ultimately obtained $12,102,994.07 judgment for professional marketing executive client who was publicly defamed by her former employers.

Young America’s Foundation v. Napolitano et al., (U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2018). In federal free speech, retaliation, due process, and equal protection lawsuit involving university’s discriminatory application of a policy to restrict on campus speech by students, achieved landmark settlement to ensure the First Amendment rights of students at University of California, Berkeley.

Hill v. Heslep et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court). In matter involving journalist’s reporting of alleged illegal and unethical conduct by a member of Congress, obtained anti-SLAPP order striking complaint, awarding attorneys’ fees in favor of journalist clients, and defining parameters of California’s “revenge porn” law as applied to elected officials.

Woodell v. Bernstein et al. (San Mateo Superior Court). Obtained case-terminating sanctions following successful motion concerning plaintiff’s intentional destruction/ spoliation of evidence in case involving opposing candidates for Menlo Park Fire Protection District Board.

Pekgoz v. Ehrhardt (Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2016). Obtained anti-SLAPP order striking complaint and awarding attorneys’ fees on behalf of client who was sued for defamation in connection with statements made in a university Title IX proceeding, establishing that Title IX proceedings are protected forums for speech under the anti-SLAPP statute.

Malamud et al. v. City of San Clemente (U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2019). In federal free speech and due process lawsuit involving city’s efforts to stifle clients from speaking out against city at city council meetings, achieved settlementprotecting the citizens of San Clemente by eradicating the City’s use of unconstitutional speech-restricting policies.

Hernandez v. City of San Jose, 897 F.3d 1125, 1132 (9th Circuit, 2018). Achieved precedent-setting 9^th Circuit decision that clarified the standard for due process liability against police, and government qualified immunity, in crowd control situations.