Adjunct Law Professor
- JD, 2008, University of San Diego
- BS, 2004, University of California, San Diego
Areas of Expertise
Trial Advocacy, California Criminal Litigation Skills
Professional Experience
Kristen Haden is currently an Assistant Supervising Attorney for a Felony Team at the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office. She was recently the Assistant Supervisor of the Central Misdemeanor Unit and the Recruitment Coordinator. Kristen joined the Public Defender’s Office as a Deputy Public Defender in January 2011 where she spent most of her career as a felony trial lawyer. Kristen has practiced in the Juvenile Delinquency Division, at the Alternate Public Defender’s Office, and in the Writs and Appeals Division.
Kristen has been an adjunct professor for the University of San Diego School of Law since 2017. Kristen teaches both Trial Advocacy and California Criminal Litigation Skills. Kristen currently serves as a board member of the Criminal Defense Bar Association, the President of the Sister League of San Diego, and was a Past President of the Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Club.
Prior to joining the Public Defender’s Office, Kristen practiced private criminal defense both as a solo practitioner and for the law firm Grimes & Warwick.
Kristen earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2008 where she served as a federal judicial extern to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan, the President of the Public Interest Law Foundation, and a co-founder of the Student Hurricane Network. Kristen earned her B.S. in Psychology from University of California, San Diego in 2004.