Christine C. Whalin - Phoenix, AZ
Attorney at DM Cantor
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ
40 N Central Ave Suite 2300 Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
20
Years
Experience
Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 10/22/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
Attorney Information
Overview
Christine Whalin was born and raised in Arizona. After high school, she attended Northern Arizona University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. Upon graduating from law school, she passed the Arizona Bar Exam and was admitted to practice in 2006, immediately dedicating her career to defending those accused of crimes.
Christine joined DM Cantor in 2010 and was elevated to partner in 2018, the same year she achieved the prestigious distinction of Board Certification in Criminal Law through the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. She is one of only twelve female attorneys in the entire state of Arizona to hold this elite certification.
With nearly two decades of focused criminal defense experience, Christine is a battle-tested trial attorney who handles the full spectrum of criminal cases, including serious felonies and misdemeanors in both state and federal court, school discipline matters, and Title IX litigation. She is particularly skilled in high-stakes cases involving sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and other grave “life-in-prison” allegations, as well as pre-charge investigations that she frequently succeeds in having closed without charges being filed.
Her Representative Successes Include:
- Securing acquittals after numerous jury trials on charges such as Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Child Molestation, Public Sexual Indecency, and Burglary.
- Achieving strong results in major vehicular crimes including Hit and Run, Aggravated DUI, and Manslaughter.
- Obtaining favorable outcomes in Drug Possession, Sale, and Transportation cases.
- Successfully representing clients in complex white-collar and financial investigations involving Fraudulent Schemes, Theft, Money Laundering, Conspiracy, Embezzlement, and Gambling violations.
- Securing non-prison resolutions in Homicide and Aggravated Assault cases through mental health defenses and Guilty Except Insane dispositions.
- Delivering effective advocacy in Domestic Violence matters involving Assault, Kidnapping, Disorderly Conduct, and Criminal Damage.
Awards and Honors
Awards
Honors
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell peer review
- Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, Arizona Business Journal – 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers – 2021
- Best 100 Lawyers in America given by National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center (NCADRC)
- Finalist for Lawyer of the Year at the Excellence in Law Awards – 2025
- Continuing Board Member for Breakthrough T1D
Other Sources of Feedback About Christine C. Whalin
Included on the 2026 Southwest Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Southwest Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
-
South Texas College of Law Houston, Houston, Texas, 2006
J.D.
Non Legal Education
-
Northern Arizona University, 1999
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Managing Partner
Classes and Seminars
- Speaker, State Bar of Arizona CLE – Ethics in the 21st Century
Pro Bono Activities
- Ladder Down
- Master of the Bench, Arizona Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court
Bar Admissions
- Arizona, 2006
- U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 2006
Specialties and Certifications
- Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist – Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
Other Affiliations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- State Bar of Arizona, Criminal Law Section
- Chair – MCBA Criminal Section (2021 – Present)
- National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center™ – Member (2026)
- State Bar Advancement & Improvement Committee – Member (2025)
- Ethics Advisory Committee – Attorney Member (2022 – 2024)
- Appointed to be on Arizona’s Attorney Ethics Advisory Committee – (2022 – 2024)
- Arizona Women Lawyers Association
- Ladder Down, Class of 2017
- Extensive Trial Experience
Fraternities and Sororities
- Alpha Delta Pi
Photo
Contact
40 N Central Ave
Suite 2300
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone Number: 602-857-9440
Email: Send a message
Hours: Open 24/7
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