Honorable Catharine B. Baker

Practice Overview

Catharine Baker is a former California State Assemblymember who represented the 16th Assembly District from 2014 through 2018. She is a Commissioner with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which administers and enforces California’s landmark government ethics laws. Catharine is Special Counsel at Hoge Fenton, where she advises businesses and non-profits and practices election law.

Background

During her legislative tenure, Catharine was an independent, bipartisan voice in the Legislature, fostering breakthroughs in significant legislation, particularly on transportation, the environment, and government accountability. Her collaborative leadership made her one of the most effective members of the Assembly. In just four years, sixteen of her bills — all supporting education, transportation, public safety, and government efficiency — passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, and all sixteen were signed into law. Significant legislation included the creation of Valley Link to construct a commuter rail connection between the Central Valley and Bay Area, more admissions opportunities to the University of California for California students, and greater transparency and accountability rules for state and regional agencies.

Catharine is President of the Diablo Regional Arts Association, which supports professional arts access for families, students, and schools. She is a Board Director with California Women Lead, a statewide non-partisan non-profit that helps women attain appointed and elected office. Catharine also serves on the Board of Directors of the Livermore Lab Foundation, which supports STEM education and research endeavors at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She is also a former member of the California State Bar’s Financial Institutions Committee. Catharine is a regular host on Tri-Valley Television for monthly episodes of Mayor’s Report with local mayors and Supervisor’s Report with Nate Miley. She also serves as Vice Chair of California Forward, a statewide non-profit advancing economic opportunity for all Californians.

Awards

Catharine was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from National University. She received several awards for her work in the Legislature, including:

• The Clean Money Campaign “Champion of Clean Money Award”
• California Common Cause “We The People Award”
• The National Foundation for Women Legislators Elected Women of Excellence Award
• California School Boards Association Legislator of the Year Award
• Crime Victims United Legislator of the Year Award
• March of Dimes Legislative Champion Award
• American Cancer Society/Cancer Action Network California Distinguished Advocacy
• California State Bar Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services

Practice Areas

• Business Transactions
• Commercial Banking and Lending
• Nonprofit Organizations

Education

• J.D., U.C. Berkeley School of Law
• B.A., University of Chicago, with honors, Political Science

Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Court, Central & Northern Districts of California