Kristen Waggoner
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Kristen Waggoner | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kristen Kellie Behrends 1972 (age 52–53) Longview, Washington, U.S. |
| Education | Northwest University (BA) Regent University (JD) |
| Employer | Alliance Defending Freedom |
| Spouse | Benjamin Waggoner |
| Children | 3 |
Kristen Kellie Waggoner (born 1972) is an American attorney. She has been president, CEO, and General Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom since 2022. In 2018, Waggoner was the lead defense counsel in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.
Early life and education
Waggoner was born in 1972 in Longview, Washington, about an hour outside of Portland, as the eldest of four children. Her father was a school superintendent and a licensed Assemblies of God minister. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom who worked part-time in the accounting industry.[1] Waggoner attended Christian schools from primary school through law school. Her father was the principal during her 1st through 12th grades. In high school she played volleyball and basketball. She graduated high school as valedictorian.[2] She attended Northwest University, affiliated with the Assemblies of God, on a drama scholarship. After graduating magna cum laude from Northwest, she attended Regent University School of Law. At Regent she won "best oralist" at the Whittier Moot Court Competition, a national contest. She graduated cum laude in 1997 with a Juris Doctor.[3][non-primary source needed]
Career
After law school, Waggoner was a law clerk to Justice Richard B. Sanders of the Washington Supreme Court. She also interned with U.S. Representative Linda Smith. In 1998, she entered private practice with Ellis, Li & McKinstry, a Seattle law firm. Waggoner was elevated to partner in 2004.[citation needed]
Alliance Defending Freedom
Waggoner joined ADF in 2013 and moved to the firm's Scottsdale headquarters in 2014. During her tenure, ADF has been victorious as lead counsel in nine Supreme Court cases, including Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.[4][non-primary source needed] On October 1, 2022, Waggoner succeeded Michael Farris as CEO and president of ADF, retaining her role as General Counsel.[5]
Arlene's Flowers
Waggoner represented the florist in the Arlene's Flowers Lawsuit when it was heard in the Washington State Supreme Court, arguing the case on First Amendment grounds. The court ruled against her.[6]
Personal life
Waggoner is married to Benjamin Waggoner, who also graduated from Regent Law School in 1997. The couple has three children. She is Pentecostal.[7]
References
- ↑ Contrera, Jessica (July 4, 2018). "Inside the Christian legal powerhouse that keeps winning at the Supreme Court". Washington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ↑ Tubbs, Brett Wilson (May 12, 2016). "Kristen Waggoner Selected for Regent University's Alumnus of the Year Award". Regent University School of Law. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ↑ "Kristen K. Waggoner". adflegal.org. Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- ↑ "Kristen K. Waggoner Biography". Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ↑ "ADF names new president, CEO". adflegal.org. Alliance Defending Freedom. August 19, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ↑ Kraemer, Kristen M. (July 17, 2017). "Richland floral shop owner wants US Supreme Court to review ruling". Union Bulletin. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ↑ "When profiling ADF's Kristin Waggoner, why not include facts about her Pentecostal roots?". July 9, 2018.