Krista Lee Baughman

As a partner of Dhillon Law Group with over a decade of experience in the courtroom, Krista has managed precedent-setting cases, including those that:

• Established that university Title IX proceedings are protected forums for speech under California’s anti-SLAPP statute;
• Defined the parameters of California’s “revenge porn” law as applied to elected officials;
• Achieved a landmark settlement to ensure the First Amendment rights of students at UC Berkeley;
• Eradicated unconstitutional speech-restricting policies in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of San Clemente on behalf of its citizens;
• Clarified the 9th Circuit standard for due process liability against police, and government qualified immunity, in crowd control situations.

Krista is driven by helping people find solutions for the most stressful and high-stakes problems in their business and personal lives. Krista’s clients appreciate her insightful assessment of legal issues, her creativity in crafting a strategy that thinks three steps ahead, her attention to detail in the execution, and her integrity throughout. Krista is admitted to practice in New York and California and litigates in state and federal courts around the nation. She is proficient in French. On the weekends you can find her going on a family hike, experimenting in the kitchen, or engaging in legal or philosophical debates with her husband.

Katherine Hill v. Kenneth Heslep et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2021). Obtained anti-SLAPP order striking complaint and awarding attorneys’ fees in favor of journalist client, in conspiracy and revenge porn matter involving journalist’s reporting of alleged illegal and unethical conduct by a member of Congress.

Pekgoz v. Ehrhardt (Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2016). Obtained anti-SLAPP order striking complaint filed against student client in defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress matter, and establishing that university Title IX proceedings are protected forums for speech under the California anti-SLAPP statute.

Young America’s Foundation v. Napolitano et al. (U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2018). Achieved landmark settlement to ensure the First Amendment rights of students at University of California, Berkeley, 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.

Malamud et al. v. City of San Clemente (U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2019). Achieved settlement eradicating the City of San Clemente’s use of unconstitutional speech-restricting policies, in federal free speech and due process lawsuit involving City’s efforts to stifle clients from speaking out against City at public City Council meetings.

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

Hubbard v. TaskRabbit, Inc. (Cal. Court of Appeals, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, 2020). Obtained decision by California Court of Appeals affirming a district court’s order granting summary judgment in favor of client TaskRabbit due to statute of limitations defenses, in matter involving alleged personal injury by mover hired through TaskRabbit’s platform.

Reiterman v. Abid (U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, pro hac vice, 2020). Obtained take-down orders in initial stage of lawsuit, in connection with defamatory content posted about client anonymously on Reddit, Google, Microsoft, WordPress, Change.org, and others.

Lane v. Elyassnia et al. (San Francisco Superior Court, 2021). Defeated anti-SLAPP motion seeking to strike client’s invasion of privacy, medical negligence, breach of contract, Confidential Medical Information Act, and unfair business practices claims, in matter involving doctors’ violations of patient privacy.

A.H., a minor, et al. v. Saint Francis High School, et al. (Santa Clara County Superior Court, 2021). Defeated anti-SLAPP motion by private high school seeking to strike clients’ defamation claim, in matter involving high school’s arbitrary and capricious expulsion and defamation of minor students.

Dal Santo v. Nguyen et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2021). Obtained anti-SLAPP order striking complaint and awarding attorneys’ fees in favor of client, in defamation lawsuit involving client’s free and lawful speech on social media.

RPLAC v. Barnett (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2010). Obtained anti-SLAPP order striking complaint and awarding attorneys’ fees to political party organization client, in lawsuit by competing political faction to improperly control fundraising and operations of political party organization.

• United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• United States District Court:
  • Central District of California
  • Northern District of California
  • Eastern District of California
  • Southern District of California
  • Middle District of Florida

• Lehigh University, B.A. International Relations, magna cum laude
• Brooklyn Law School, J.D., cum laude

• First Amendment law and litigation
• Defamation/ trade libel
• Anti-SLAPP law and litigation
• Pre-publication review

★★★★★
Excellence in every aspect of her job

Krista is that very rare gem of an attorney who exceeds one’s expectations at each and every facet of her profession. I came to her with an important First Amendment case involving a government entity. Her enthusiasm to “fight the good fight” was immediately evident. Her grasp of the issues and attention to detail were impressive, as was the speed with which she evaluated the facts and issues. She communicates very effectively and responds quickly, both with the unexpected bonus of always being courteous and pleasant. At the same time, she has a strong writing voice which results in skillfully worded and firmly precise legal documents. Her initial assessment of the case proved to be entirely accurate, as well as completely successful. She approached the defendants aggressively, and swiftly negotiated a fully favorable outcome. There is no better endorsement than prompt success. I wholeheartedly recommend Krista to anyone needing professional and effective representation.

– S Barr

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