Kristine Gerhard Baker was sworn in as a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas in 2012. She became Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas in December 2023. She received Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and American Studies from Saint Louis University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law. She began her legal career by serving as a law clerk for then Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas Susan Webber Wright. After clerking, Judge Baker entered private practice and focused on litigation until taking the bench.