About Caitlin
Caitlin Baunsgard graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006. She completed her J.D. after several years working in law enforcement and federal support roles, combining practical investigative experience with formal legal training. That mix of backgrounds shaped the early arc of her career.
Before finishing law school she worked as a criminal intelligence specialist for the Washington State Patrol in 2004. The role placed her close to the investigative side of complex criminal matters. It exposed her to evidence gathering, interagency coordination, and the kinds of factual detail that often determine outcomes in court.
After earning her degree she moved into positions that offered courtroom and federal office exposure. In 2007 she served as a law clerk for the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington. That same year she held the title of special deputy prosecutor with the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office. Those assignments gave her experience on both prosecutorial teams and in the federal system.
Her professional affiliations reflect steady involvement in the local and state bar communities. She has been a member of the Spokane County Bar Association since 2007. She joined the Washington State Bar Association in 2009 and has held membership in the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2010. Those memberships have kept her connected to peers and legal developments across Washington.
Across roles in law enforcement, federal service, and county prosecution, Baunsgard developed a pragmatic view of criminal practice. She understands prosecution strategies as well as investigative procedures. Colleagues describe her approach as detail-oriented and procedural; she tends to prioritize the record and the mechanics of evidence. She draws on her earlier patrol and intelligence work when assessing case strengths and weaknesses.
Today she practices at Kirkpatrick & Startzel, PS, in Washington. Her work is concentrated on criminal matters, handling cases that range from preliminary hearings to trial preparation. She remains active in local bar organizations while maintaining a caseload in the state courts of Washington, where her varied public-sector background continues to inform her current practice focus.
