Overview
When product liability or intellectual property claims beset clients, Scholastica Baker takes to the front line to defend their advances. Her superpower is using strategic, persistent and proactive planning to get things done.
Scholastica has deep experience managing litigation and leads strategy, investigation and discovery of complex technical matters for Fortune 500 companies. Scholastica combines the investigative skills of a litigator with the grit and tenacity developed over an 11-year military career to drill down on the science in each case and exploit the flaws in opposing counsel’s arguments. She understands that developing sound defense themes is key. She has experience preparing company witnesses and collaborating with expert witnesses across specialties: microbiology, cardiology, urogynecology, accident reconstruction and biomechanics. Scholastica also represents clients whose employees are accused of nonconsensual sexual behavior.
She also spends over 50 pro bono hours a year helping military veterans obtain the service-connected benefits they deserve.
Legal Design
Scholastica is a design catalyst for the Faegre Drinker Design Lab, a collaboration with Stanford University’s Legal Design Lab, and works directly with firm clients on design thinking exercises for in-house legal departments. In addition, Scholastica uses visual advocacy skills to create accessible factual and legal analyses that resonate with courts and her clients.
Military Experience
Scholastica is a combat veteran. She held the rank of captain in the Minnesota Army National Guard, where she managed over 200 soldiers as commanding officer of Bravo Company Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion of the 34th Infantry Division. She received a bronze star medal for her service in Iraq as a military intelligence officer in charge of a section, as well as a meritorious service medal during a one-year deployment as an administrative law paralegal in Bosnia.
Personal Interests
Scholastica is a working mom to three energetic boys and the proud wife of a U.S. Army JAG officer. She finds time to enjoy boxing workouts and is always planning a vacation to a destination with an ocean or beach.
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Certifications
Minnesota Supreme Court Rule 114 Neutral — Qualified (2013)Education
William Mitchell College of Law
J.D. cum laude, William Mitchell Law Review (editor, staff member) (2014)
University of Minnesota
B.A. in Communication Studies (2002)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Other Perspectives
- Candid Advice to New Lawyers
Panelist, Minnesota CLE, January 2018 - Update from the Hennepin County Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Author, The Hennepin Lawyer, May/June 2017
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
- Minnesota State Bar Association
Civic Activities
- Twin Cities Diversity in Practice — Secretary, 2021-present
- Mounds View Basketball Association — Board Member, 2018-present
Firm Leadership
- Faegre Drinker Hiring Committee, Minneapolis — Member, 2020-present
Honors
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) — Pathfinder, 2021
- Best Lawyers®— "Ones to Watch," Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2021-22
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2019
- Burton Award — Summary Judgment Motion in 1L Legal Writing Course, Nominee