Christine Whalin

Christine Whalin is a highly accomplished criminal defense attorney with over 15 years of trial experience. She became a partner at DM Cantor in 2018, following her 2010 joining of the firm. Christine is one of only 12 female criminal defense attorneys in Arizona who are Board Certified Specialists in Criminal Law, a distinction awarded by the State Bar of Arizona, Board of Legal Specialization.

Christine’s practice covers a broad spectrum of criminal law, including both state and federal felony and misdemeanor matters, as well as school discipline and Title IX litigation. She is particularly skilled in handling major felony cases involving serious allegations such as sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and other life-in-prison offenses. Christine has a proven track record of achieving favorable results, including dismissals, reduced sentences, and acquittals after jury trials.

Christine earned her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2006 and her B.S. in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University in 1999.

Throughout her career, Christine has aggressively defended clients facing a broad spectrum of criminal charges, including violent crimes, drug offenses, and complex white-collar cases. She is highly skilled in managing pre-charge criminal investigations, often getting cases closed before formal charges are ever filed. Christine also brings extensive experience in mental health criminal defense, frequently securing alternatives to prison for clients in serious cases such as homicide and aggravated assault through the “guilty except insane” legal provision.

Christine Whalin is a recognized leader in the Arizona legal community. She has been named to the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona by Arizona Business Journal for multiple years (2019-2025) and is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. She has also been nominated as a finalist for Lawyer of the Year at the 2025 Excellence in Law Awards.

In addition to her trial work, Christine is an active member of various legal organizations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Arizona Women Lawyers Association. She is also a dedicated speaker, having presented on ethics in the legal profession at State Bar of Arizona CLE events.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, DM Cantor
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, State Bar of Arizona, Criminal Law Section
• Chair, MCBA Criminal Section
• Member, State Bar Advancement & Improvement Committee
• Member, Arizona Women Lawyers Association
• Member, State Bar of Arizona CLE – Ethics in the 21^st Century
• Master of the Bench, Arizona Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court

Licensed State

• Arizona

Education

• South Texas College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northern Arizona University
  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

Awards & Badges