Robert Baker served as lead defense counsel for O.J. Simpson in the civil wrongful death trial, delivering an opening statement that cast Simpson as a devoted father and self-made man while attacking the LAPD's investigation as tunnel-visioned and the physical evidence as tainted. Across dozens of trial days, Baker conducted aggressive cross-examinations of key witnesses — methodically challenging Detective Tom Lange's credibility by exposing his Goldman family ties and book deal, breaking down Brian "Kato" Kaelin's testimony, and challenging forensic experts on everything from blood evidence handling to Bruno Magli shoe print methodology. In closing arguments, he mounted a forceful counter-narrative centered on police misconduct and evidence contamination, going head-to-head with plaintiff's attorney Daniel Petrocelli in what became a central courtroom rivalry in the civil proceedings.