Baker is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School and was elected to the Editorial Board of the University of Chicago Law Review. He practiced law with the law firms of Sidley & Austin in Chicago and Ray, Quinney & Nebeker in Salt Lake City. He has served as a member and also Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School.