Christina practices in the area of government investigations and white collar litigation. She serves on the firm’s Board of Partners and is the former managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Chicago office.
An experienced trial lawyer, Christina represents higher education institutions, healthcare providers, financial institutions and other public and private entities and executives in criminal and civil investigations by federal, state and local authorities. She defends clients in complex cases in Illinois and across the U.S.
Christina regularly conducts internal investigations for a variety of clients into a wide range of matters, including allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, corruption, and healthcare and other types of fraud.
She has been repeatedly honored by Chambers USA on its list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business, recognized by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer as one of their “Top 50 Women in the Law” and named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ "Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law."
Prior to joining the firm, Christina served 10 years as an assistant U.S. attorney (AUSA) in the Northern District of Illinois - four of which she was a deputy chief supervising a number of AUSAs on investigations and prosecutions. She has tried more than 20 federal criminal cases as an AUSA. She led the prosecution of a broad range of complex investigations, including racketeering, public corruption, mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud and narcotics trafficking conspiracies. During her tenure , Christina focused on the investigation and trial of complex corruption cases, including serving as lead counsel in the racketeering investigation and trial of corrupt police officers and, in another case, investigating and prosecuting bribery schemes by corrupt City of Chicago inspectors and building contractors. She also briefed and argued multiple appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Christina received multiple awards from federal and local law enforcement, and the U.S. Department of Justice for her service as an AUSA.
Christina was a judicial law clerk for the Honorable John F. Grady and a judicial extern for the Honorable Marvin E. Aspen of the U.S. District Court in Chicago. In 2012, she was also appointed to the U.S. Attorney Candidate Screening Committee through a bi-partisan process headed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk.
She has been an adjunct professor at Northwestern School of Law, teaching a seminar on federal RICO law from 2012 to 2019 and taught trial advocacy there from 2008 to 2011. She is also a former lecturer at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Undercover School and the National Advocacy Center for the Department of Justice.
Won federal criminal trial for individual in a complex federal criminal accounting fraud case obtaining a total acquittal on all counts after a multi-week trial.
Secured dismissal of all federal criminal charges against a former United States congressman indicted on misuse of campaign and government funds.
Conducted internal investigation for state entity regarding allegations of sexual assault and misappropriation of funds.
Represented a large public university in a U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights investigation into allegations of Title VI violations.
Conducted internal investigation for national healthcare provider into potential abuse of patients.
Obtained Deferred Prosecution Agreement to dismiss federal indictment for individual charged with fraud.
Won tenure revocation proceeding on behalf of large public university seeking dismissal of tenured professor.
Convinced federal government not to seek indictment and enter into Deferred Prosecution Agreement for individual healthcare provider.
Conducted internal investigation for public university regarding Title VI and First Amendment issues.
Represented president of private university in investigation regarding allegations of clergy abuse.
Conducted internal investigation into admissions process at higher education institution.
Conducted review of multiple years of officer involved shootings for independent review authority for major metropolitan city.
Conducted review of internal affairs department for city police department.
Defended a private university in Title IX case involving alleged abuse in athletics program.
Previous Board Member, Northwestern University School of Law Clinic Advisory Board
Previous Board Member and Executive Committee Member, Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago
Member, Chicago Inn of Court
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Woodward/White, Inc., 2022, 2023, 2024
Selected for inclusion in America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Illinois, Chambers USA, 2019-2023
Named to "2021 Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law," Crain's Chicago Business, 2021
Named to "Salute! Top 50 Women in the Law," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer, 2021
Selected for inclusion in the “Irish Legal 100” list of the United States’ most distinguished Irish-American legal professionals, 2020
Named to "2020 Notable Women in Law", Crain's Chicago Business, 2020
Recipient, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service, May 2015