Kristin Messner-Baker

Kristin Messner-Baker joined Scaringi Law in 2026. She brings 25 years of legal experience to the firm, with a practice that spans criminal defense, family law, and bankruptcy law where she focuses her practice exclusively on representing creditors in bankruptcy. Throughout her career, Attorney Messner-Baker has built a reputation for strong advocacy, practical judgment, and an exceptional ability to connect with clients during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Attorney Messner-Baker represents individuals charged with criminal offenses, handling cases ranging from summary offenses to serious felony matters. Her criminal defense practice includes DUI, narcotics, violent crimes, white-collar offenses, and related matters in both state and federal courts. She regularly conducts preliminary hearings, bench and jury trials, and litigates complex pretrial issues, including suppression motions, bail motions, sentencing memoranda, post-conviction filings and appeals. She is particularly skilled in negotiating favorable plea agreements, diversionary programs, and charge reductions, and has a strong record of securing dismissals and favorable resolutions for her clients.

In addition to her criminal defense work, Attorney Messner-Baker has extensive experience in bankruptcy law. Over the course of her career, she has handled hundreds of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, guiding clients from initial consultation through discharge or plan confirmation. Her bankruptcy practice has included drafting petitions and schedules, litigating adversary proceedings, negotiating with trustees and creditors, and securing lien avoidance and favorable repayment terms. She is known for helping clients achieve swift debt relief and regain financial stability through thoughtful, efficient representation.

At Scaringi Law, Attorney Messner-Baker only represents creditors in bankruptcy. As a creditors' rights in bankruptcy attorney (also known as a creditor-side bankruptcy lawyer) Attorney Messner-Baker represents creditors—such as banks, lenders, suppliers, landlords, or other entities owed money—when a debtor files for bankruptcy. Her goal is to protect the creditor's interests, maximize recovery on the debt, and navigate the complex rules of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to ensure the creditor's rights are enforced.

In this role, Attorney Messner-Baker handles a range of activities, including:

1. Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling and Planning
2. Responding to a Bankruptcy Filing
3. Protecting Secured Interests
4. Litigation, Objections and Adversary Proceedings
5.  Negotiation and Workouts
6. Post-Bankruptcy Enforcement

At Scaringi Law, Attorney Messner-Baker also represents clients in family law matters, including divorce, custody, support, and related domestic relations issues. Her combined background in criminal defense and bankruptcy gives her valuable insight into cases where financial stress, protection from abuse issues, or overlapping criminal matters are present. She approaches family law cases with a balance of firm advocacy and clear-eyed problem solving, always focused on protecting her clients’ interests while minimizing unnecessary conflict.

Attorney Messner-Baker is widely praised for her interpersonal skills and her ability to build immediate trust with clients. She has consistently been a leading attorney at prior firms, successfully converting consultations into retained clients through clear communication, persuasive guidance, and a strong command of case strategy. She also has experience mentoring junior attorneys and supervising support staff to ensure meticulous preparation and high-quality client service.

In addition to her legal career, Attorney Messner-Baker has significant entrepreneurial experience, having founded and operated a multi-location restaurant group in the Harrisburg area for a decade. This experience further strengthens her understanding of business operations, financial management, and the real-world pressures faced by clients navigating legal challenges.

Attorney Messner-Baker is based in the Harrisburg office.

Joined the Firm

• 2026

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Law
• Family Law
• Bankruptcy

Employment

• The McShane Firm, LLC, Criminal Defense Attorney / Litigation Associate, September 2024 – December 2025
• Law Office of Dorothy L. Mott, Associate Attorney – Consumer Bankruptcy & Litigation, August 2001 – June 2016
• Crave and Co., LLC, Founder & Managing Partner, June 2014 – July 2024

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania

Education

• Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
  • J.D. – 2001
• University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • B.A. in English – 1996

Memberships

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Dauphin County Bar Association