WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman today applauded the confirmation of Kristine Baker to serve as United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  Her nomination was confirmed today by the full Senate. 

“Kris is known in Arkansas legal circles as a hard worker and a brilliant lawyer, and I was proud to help shepherd her nomination through the confirmation process,” Pryor said. “Her experience and commitment to a fair and impartial legal system will serve Arkansas well.”

“I have gotten to know Kris Baker during her confirmation process and have seen that she has the right mix of character, experience and legal knowledge to serve the people of Arkansas well.  I believe she will do an excellent job in this role and that we will all be proud of her future service on the bench,” Boozman said.

Background on Kris Baker

Currently a partner at the law firm Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow in Little Rock, Baker specializes in commercial, employment, and First Amendment litigation.  She joined the firm as an associate in 2000 and became a partner in 2002.  She previously worked at the law firm Williams & Anderson and as a law clerk to the Honorable Susan Webber Wright of the United States District Court for the Eastern District.  Baker earned her law degree with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law and her B.A. from the Saint Louis University in 1993. 

Baker regularly accepts prisoner and other appointment cases from the federal courts, and has played a leadership role in a number of civic organizations. She is currently a member of the Volunteer Organization Center for Arkansas Legal Services and a member her local elementary school Parent Teacher Association.

She has been recognized as one of Chambers and Partners' America's Leading Lawyers for Business; named a Rising Star by Mid-South Super Lawyers; and listed with The Best Lawyers in America, the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers  and Arkansas Business’ Forty Under 40. 

In November 2011, Baker was nominated by President Barack Obama to succeed Judge James Moody as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  Her nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February 2012.