C. Richard Baker

His path to the law began in uniform. After graduating from the University of New Mexico in 1967, Mr. Baker entered the United States Marine Corps through the NROTC program and served as an officer from 1967 to 1970, including combat-era service in Vietnam. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law and built a nationally respected career in criminal prosecution and trial advocacy.

Known to colleagues and clients as Dick, Mr. Baker built his reputation on some of the most demanding cases in state and federal court, including serving as Chief Riot Prosecutor following the 1980 New Mexico Penitentiary Riot. As an Assistant United States Attorney, he prosecuted complex federal felony cases for both the District of New Mexico and the Northern District of Texas. That work gave him a command of federal criminal procedure that makes him a formidable advocate for clients facing serious allegations today.

At Keith & Lorfing, Mr. Baker focuses his practice on criminal defense, and he devotes particular attention to representing veterans and active-duty military personnel. Drawing on his own Marine Corps background, he understands the pressures, sacrifices, and service-related challenges that military members face. He has extensive experience with cases involving PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other service-related conditions that can bear on criminal conduct, and he is dedicated to ensuring the veterans he represents receive both strong advocacy and compassionate representation.

His standing as a veteran trial lawyer, former federal prosecutor, and Marine offers clients a rare combination of credibility, judgment, and integrity, in and out of the courtroom.