H. Mitchell Caldwell is a Pepperdine/Caruso School of Law law professor and teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Trial Advocacy. He writes extensively in the areas of his expertise, having published over forty law review articles. Caldwell is the co-author of several trial advocacy textbooks, including The Art and Science of Trial Advocacy, which law schools across the country have adopted, and the LA Times awarded Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: Greatest Closing Arguments a best non-fiction book of the year. Cost of Malice is the third in the Jake Clearwater legal thrillers, including Cost of Arrogance and Cost of Deceit. 

Professor Caldwell was a trial prosecutor in Santa Barbara and Riverside Counties before assuming his position as a law professor. He handles cases for The California Appellate Project and resides in Southern California.