Professionals

Biography

Lance Caughfield has been arguing about one thing or another for most of his life. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, where his dual degrees in Political Science and Human Communication prepared him for the debate team. The highlight of that experience was a debate over international policy with the Russian debate team from Moscow State University. Lance then studied law at the University of Texas, where he participated in moot court, winning a lofty sounding “Dillard Award for Best Briefs in the World Among National Finalists,” but more importantly, discovering his love of appellate law.

Lance’s career has been varied. He has argued over 100 appellate matters and tried almost 40 cases in state and federal court. He started with a civil defense firm (Fletcher & Springer) where he became a partner as he represented clients like Red Bull GmbH, Taser International, the Texas Municipal League, State Farm, and Brinker International in state and federal court. He left to join a plaintiff’s personal injury and business litigation boutique (Kelsoe, Khoury, Caughfield, & Clark) where he became involved in several commercial litigation and personal injury matters, including a series of cases involving medical device defects. He then decided to focus his practice solely on appeals, and was invited to join the team at Baker | Moran.

Lance is also the Director of Advocacy Programs at SMU Dedman School of Law, where he has served as a moot court coach since 1998. Several of his teams have won national championships, including the most recent National Championship win in the 2024-2025 ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition. He is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Law, teaching courses in Client Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiation, as well as a class in Negotiation.

Lance is married to Adrienne Caughfield, a history professor, and is the father of two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting rare books, antique weapons, fossils, and bad jokes, traveling, and teaching classes in apologetics and theology at his church.