Christine Whalin

Christine Whalin

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2027
Awarded Practice Areas
Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar DUI / DWI Defense
Works at
DM Cantor

2 Best Lawyers awards

DM Cantor logo

Biography

Christine Whalin is a criminal defense attorney at DM Cantor in Phoenix, Arizona. Born and raised in Arizona, she attended Northern Arizona University for her undergraduate education before earning her law degree. After passing the Arizona Bar Exam in 2006, she began her legal career focused on defending individuals accused of crimes.

Christine joined DM Cantor in 2010 and became a partner in 2018. That same year, she earned Board Certification in Criminal Law through the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. She is among a limited number of female attorneys in Arizona to hold this certification.

For nearly two decades, Christine has represented clients in a wide range of criminal matters in both state and federal courts. Her practice includes Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and DUI / DWI Defense. She also handles school disciplinary proceedings and Title IX matters. Christine regularly represents individuals facing serious felony and misdemeanor allegations, including cases involving sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and other high-level criminal charges. In addition, she assists clients during pre-charge investigations and works to resolve matters before formal charges are filed whenever possible.

As part of the DM Cantor legal team, Christine is committed to protecting the rights of individuals throughout Phoenix and across Arizona. Her practice is centered on strategic case preparation, courtroom advocacy, and guiding clients through each stage of the criminal justice process.

Works at
DM Cantor

2 Best Lawyers awards

DM Cantor logo

Locations

Education

  • Northern Arizona University, B.S.
  • South Texas College of Law Houston, J.D.

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona, State Bar of Arizona, 2006

Court Admissions

  • United States District Court, District of Arizona

Affiliations

  • Master of the Bench, Arizona Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court - Member
  • State Bar of Arizona CLE – Ethics in the 21st Century - Speaker
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Association - Member
  • Ladder Down - Memeber
  • Arizona’s Attorney Ethics Advisory Committee - Appointed Member 2022-2024
  • Ethics Advisory Committee - Attorney Member (2022 – 2024)
  • State Bar Advancement & Improvement Committee - Member
  • National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center™ - Member (2026)
  • MCBA Criminal Section - Chair (2021 – Present)
  • State Bar of Arizona, Criminal Law Section - Member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • DUI / DWI Defense
Awards:
  • Continuing Board Member for Breakthrough T1D

  • Finalist for Lawyer of the Year at the Excellence in Law Awards – 2025

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers – 2021

  • Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, Arizona Business Journal – 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025

  • AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell peer review

  • Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist – Arizona Board of Legal Specialization

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