Kristin Baldwin Bio

Kristin is the Chief Operating Officer of Smith Hurst. In this position, she is primarily responsible for the Firm’s business and financial operations and is integrally involved with the Firm’s partners in developing and implementing its strategic plan to navigate the Firm’s growth and development within an ever-changing legal services industry in the Northwest Arkansas region. An effective communicator who possesses the capacity to inspire the confidence and respect of internal colleagues and external constituents, Mrs. Baldwin’s principal responsibilities include developing and managing the annual budget and business goals of the Firm, participating in meetings of the Firm’s executive leadership and contributing to the development of the Firm’s strategic plans and administrative policies, supervising the administrative personnel charged with carrying out the Firm’s day-to-day operations, setting accounting procedures, analyzing financial data and developing meaningful financial reports, developing and managing enterprise risks and liabilities (including implementation of professional liability, healthcare and other insurance programs), ensuring appropriate legal, regulatory, tax, professional and fiduciary compliance for the Firm and its lawyers; and establishing, negotiating and managing effective working relationships with the Firm’s outside accountants, financial institutions, and other consultants and stakeholders. Prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Smith Hurst, Kristin worked for over a decade in the legal field. She possesses a depth of work experience and knowledge in the support of a myriad of legal practice areas including business law, business transaction and contract related matters, intellectual property law including patents, trademarks and copyrights, and estate planning.