Kila Baldwin

Sponsored by RebuttalPR

What inspired you to specialize in plaintiff personal injury law initially, and how has your motivation and perspective evolved throughout your career?

When I went to law school, I wasn’t sure what area of law I wanted to pursue. Some law students are very focused—they know they want to be a federal prosecutor, for example, and that’s all they aim for. But I had no idea. I attended Temple, which has a really strong trial advocacy program. I took that program, really enjoyed it, and realized I wanted to be a trial attorney.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do plaintiff or defense work. I started at a plaintiff’s firm, but there was some internal instability there, so I left and joined a large defense firm, Reed Smith. I spent a year doing defense work, primarily on mass tort cases and trials, and I absolutely hated it. I disliked everything about the defense bar, the way they handled cases, and the billable hours culture.

After that year, I promptly returned to plaintiff’s work and haven’t looked back since. It’s incredibly satisfying to help individual claimants, hear their stories, and secure the relief they need. It brings a sense of closure and justice for them, which is very rewarding.

I remember leaving the defense firm almost exactly a year after I started—on Saint Patrick’s Day, no less. It was such a strange coincidence when I realized it. I left one place on Saint Patrick’s Day one year and started at a new plaintiff’s firm on Saint Patrick’s Day the following year.

Some people take a very direct route in their careers—they know exactly what they want to do from the start. For me, it was more of a discovery process. But once I found my path, I’ve never looked back, and that was about 20 years ago.

Since that time, has your motivation shifted? Has what inspires you and drives your passion for the work evolved over the years?

What truly motivates me every day is my clients. I work on catastrophic cases where people have been severely hurt, and meeting them, hearing their stories, and understanding how their lives have been changed is what drives me. I know I’m often their hope—or one of their only hopes—for obtaining justice, securing compensation, and trying to make things right for them. My day-to-day motivation is entirely centered on my clients.

Can you share a case that profoundly impacted you, either professionally or personally? What key lessons did you take away from that experience?

When I was pregnant with my second child—my son, who’s now 12 years old—I was involved in the litigation and trial of a power line case. A power line fell in the suburbs outside of Pittsburgh, and a woman was tragically electrocuted in front of her two young children, who were just 3 and 5 years old at the time. It was an intensely fought case, with the defense putting up a ferocious battle.

To this day, I stay in regular contact with the family. The two young girls are now in college at Penn State, and we correspond often through social media. That case was especially heart-wrenching for me—not only because of what those children endured but also because I was pregnant at the time and had my son shortly afterward. It solidified in me a deep commitment to working hard and fighting for my clients. What happened to that woman was utterly unfair, and I felt it was my responsibility to give everything I had to secure justice for her daughters and her husband.

If you look over my left shoulder, you’ll see pictures of the girls and a snow globe of a guardian angel they sent me as a gift. They’ve sent me gifts over the years, and the connection we share is incredibly meaningful. That case was deeply emotional for me, and it’s one I remain tied to through my relationship with the family.

More recently, I handled another case where a client suffered a major stroke during a neurosurgery after the surgical device being used by the surgeon broke mid-operation. That case has resolved, but I’ve grown very close to the family, the the point where we see each other on holidays. 

These cases have taught me a powerful lesson: my clients aren’t just names, numbers, or part of an inventory. They are people with families and lives that have been profoundly impacted, and they deserve someone who will fight for them with everything they’ve got.

You mentioned being a mother—how has that experience influenced the way you practice law or shaped your perspective on your work?

You know, being a mother, I think you're just naturally sympathetic, and you keep an open ear when people talk about their experiences. I also think you're better able to understand what physical or mental limitations can do to a person's life. For me, I’m balancing the full-time job of being a mom to two preteens, and it's a lot of work—even without any open or obvious limitations or disabilities. Many of my clients do face those challenges.

It's one thing to say, "I can’t use my left hand," but then you start thinking: How do you do certain tasks? How do you teach your kids to ride a bike? How do you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with one hand? Things like that. I think it just makes you more empathetic and better able to understand how limitations affect someone's life. That, in turn, helps you articulate those damages to a jury in a way they can grasp.

Building trust, as you mentioned, is crucial in your work. How do you approach establishing trust from the very first meeting with a client, especially when you're just beginning to build that relationship?

Yeah, I mean, with clients, I think it's important to get to know them on a personal level. You don’t just want to talk to someone on the phone, say, "Okay, I’ll handle your case," and then leave it all to a paralegal. I try as much as possible to either have clients come into the office or meet them somewhere, so I can sit with them in person, have a cup of coffee, and hear their full story. It also gives them a chance to see me face-to-face.

I give all my clients my cell phone number and let them know: "Look, I’m not going to be the person who calls you every day or even every week because I’m busy lawyering. But if you need me or want me to know something, text me, email me, or call me, and I will get back to you." I think it’s important for clients to know that you’re available and actively working on their case.

I’m very honest with them about not being the daily phone call person—I just don’t have enough hours in the day for that. But I make myself available whenever they want to speak to me.

What are some of the most significant challenges you've faced as a female attorney in this field, and how have you worked to overcome them?

Being a woman, as you probably know, is tough in today’s society. I think it often goes unspoken just how challenging it can be. Going through law school, or really any advanced education, as a woman is difficult. The higher you climb in graduate-level education, the fewer women you see and the more men dominate the space. Along with that comes subtle discrimination—comments, behaviors, or assumptions you face constantly.

When you become a female trial attorney, the challenges only increase. There aren’t many of us serving as lead trial counsel, and that makes it even harder. You deal with judges calling you “sweetie” or “honey” or making dismissive comments like, “You don’t understand” or “You’ve never done this before.” People assume you’re the court reporter instead of the lead trial counsel. It happens all the time.

A big part of overcoming those challenges is developing a strong backbone and standing up for yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable. You have to be willing to say, “Please don’t call me that,” or “I’m not the court reporter; I’m the lead trial counsel.” It’s not easy, it’s not your first instinct, and it’s certainly not something you want to have to do. But if you want to succeed as a trial lawyer, it’s something you have to do.

Have there been any mentors or role models who have played a pivotal role in your career? How have they influenced your professional journey?

I’ve always hated that question because I’ve never had one single mentor or role model where I could say, “This is the person I structure my life after.” I think the best way to succeed is by taking bits and pieces from different people—qualities you admire, behaviors you’d like to replicate—and incorporating those into your own practice and career.

Trying to mimic everything one person does isn’t wise, in my opinion. People fall into that trap and lose a sense of themselves. So no, there isn’t just one person I’d point to. If I had to, I could probably narrow it down to a list of 10 to 15 people. But honestly, I think it’s bad advice to tell someone to find a role model and follow everything they do. Instead, take what you admire in certain people, make it your own, and draw inspiration from multiple sources. That’s how you grow in a way that’s authentic to you..

What qualities do you look for in a successful role model or mentor, particularly in the legal profession

I think confidence sells. Whenever I see a lawyer—male or female—who is confident, I know they’re likely to be a good trial attorney. Confidence means being willing to stand up and say, “No, I’m right, and this is how it is.” That kind of conviction is key.

I also think it’s important to look for role models who are successful and have achieved something meaningful. You want to learn from people who’ve clearly done things right and found success in areas you aspire to excel in. You don’t want to follow someone who’s more like Eeyore, where you’re left wondering, “Why would that be my role model?” Confidence and proven success in the areas that matter to you are absolutely vital when choosing people to look up to.

How do you manage work-life balance, and what advice would you give to others?

Work-life balance means something different to everyone. There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s all about your comfort level and setting boundaries that work for you. For me, a big part of maintaining that balance is staying physically active. If I don’t get to the gym, my brain can’t handle the stresses of the day.

I make it a priority to get up early every morning, check my emails, and then hit the gym before heading to the office. That often means I’m up before 5 a.m., but I know I need that time to de-stress and prepare for whatever the day throws at me. Because of that, I have to set limits in other areas. Sometimes it means saying no to dinners or receptions in the evening so I can go home, spend time with my kids, and get to bed on time.

Ultimately, it’s about figuring out what works best for you—when you’re most productive and what you need to recharge. But it’s also crucial to have those outlets for stress relief and to make the time for them consistently.

What do you find most challenging about your job, and what comes most naturally to you?

Being a litigator is just hard. Every day, it feels like I’m gearing up for a fight with someone. Whether it’s over an email with a defense attorney, arguing a motion before a judge, taking a deposition and dealing with difficult opposing counsel, or even handling a challenging client who thinks their case is worth far more than it actually is—it’s always something. Sometimes it’s even rejecting a case and having that person call to yell at me. Litigation is definitely not for the faint of heart, and that constant intensity is one of the toughest parts of my job.

What would you say comes naturally to you in your work—something you've never had to put as much effort into developing?

I don’t know—I feel like I’m an over-preparer. I like to prepare, and staying organized comes pretty naturally to me. I know a lot of people struggle with that and often ask me about strategies, but it’s something I’m just naturally good at. I’m very detail-oriented when it comes to mapping out how many days in advance I need to prepare for a deposition, a trial, or anything else. While I know organization can be a challenge for others, it’s just not an area that affects me much.

What advice would you offer to women attorneys beginning their careers in this area of law?

Get as much experience as possible. I think sometimes women hesitate, saying, “Oh, I’ve never argued a motion before.” Well, you better argue it. Or, “I’ve never taken a deposition before.” Then take it. The best move for any young attorney is to seize every opportunity to gain experience. If someone offers you the chance to take a deposition, take it. If you’re allowed to argue a motion, go do it. If you can write a response to a summary judgment motion, take a stab at it.

You might not do great at first, but you’ll learn so much more from your struggles and failures than from easy wins. It’s about having the confidence to say, “Sure, I’ll give it a shot.” You might not excel right away, but the experience you gain is invaluable, and it’s the only way to grow.

Why are organizations like the Society of Women Trial Lawyers important to you, and how have they influenced your work?

The Society of Women Trial Lawyers—I attended my first conference or meeting last year, though I’ve been involved with other female-centered litigation groups before. It’s so important to have that camaraderie and bond. Like I mentioned earlier, being a woman is hard, and being a female litigator is even harder. Having a support network makes such a difference.

It’s invaluable to talk to others who understand and can relate. You can say, “Doesn’t it stink when people assume you’re the court reporter?” or “Doesn’t it stink when male defense counsel dismiss your thoughts?” And hearing how other women handle those challenges is incredibly helpful. Having that camaraderie and a strong support network is really, really empowering.

How has your approach to client acquisition, communication, and advocacy evolved with the rise of social media and digital communication?

Our firm does a lot of social media advertising, and I act as the liaison between our advertising company and the attorneys here. We really encourage everyone—attorneys and staff alike—to have social media accounts and to actively engage. That means posting and sharing our ads, but also going out and connecting with our clients on social media, seeing what they’re up to, and staying informed about their lives.

It’s also become a key communication tool. Some of my clients message me privately or DM me, and it’s important to recognize that in today’s world, social media is not just for advertising—it’s an active means of communication. You can’t ignore it or dismiss it by saying, “I’m not on social media.” If you do, you’re simply not keeping up with the times.

Reflecting on your career, what accomplishments are you most proud of, and what goals are you currently working toward?

About two years ago, I left the firm where I’d spent nearly 20 years. I started my own law firm, and not long after, I was acquired by another firm—where I am now. That was a major pivot in my career. I don’t think I’d be where I am today if I hadn’t taken that step to go out on my own and say, “I am a lead trial lawyer, and I deserve to be a shareholder.” It was a pivotal moment for me, and over the past two years, I’ve had nothing but great successes. I’m amazed at how far the firm has come in such a short time since I joined.

I think a lot of women in trial law are excellent at what they do, but they often get stuck in second-chair roles, or even first-chair roles, without taking that next step to become lead counsel, a shareholder, or take on an ownership interest. I’d encourage women to go for it. You are just as good as your male counterparts, and you should absolutely reach for those opportunities.

What advice would you give to women preparing to have a conversation about becoming a shareholder?

Reach out to other women who’ve done it. Reach out to other trial lawyers and talk to them about their experiences. Get advice, and really talk it through with people. When I made the leap, I didn’t go into it blindly—I had conversations with others who’d been there. I think it’s so important to connect with people, seek their insights, and explore all the avenues available to you before taking that step.

What future goals are you working toward? Are there any specific accomplishments you hope to achieve in the next 5 to 10 years?

My list of goals is always growing, both in my legal career and in some of the other business ventures I’m involved in. Recently, our firm got involved in a new mass tort, specifically Depo-Provera. We’re really excited about it. It’s an injectable birth control that’s been linked to an increased risk of meningiomas—tumors that form around the spine and brain. I’ve been digging into the science behind it, and I’m genuinely excited about the possibility of trying a case in this area.

Of course, whether I actually get to try a case depends on the defendants and whether they choose to settle or not, so it’s not entirely within my control. But it’s definitely something I’m actively looking forward to and working toward. So, I’d say that’s one of my current goals.