Christine’s focus as an attorney is on helping her clients through the most difficult situations life offers. Whether her clients are facing criminal charges, the end of a marriage, issues related to children, or end of life concerns, Christine’s passion for helping them through these issues is evident through her honesty, patience, and ability to make even the most complex legal issues make sense to her clients.
Christine attended the Northern Illinois University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude with Juris Doctorate degree. During her tenure at NIU College of Law, she earned a Certificate in Criminal Practice. She also served as an intern for the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Criminal, Misdemeanor and Traffic division, as judicial intern in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of DuPage County, and as a summer law clerk for the Honorable Michael Burke, former justice with the Second Appellate District.
Prior to law school, Christine earned a B.A. and M.A. from NIU, where she taught in the Sociology Department for 15 years. Christine continues to maintain close ties with NIU, serving as a member of the NIU College of Law Alumni Council and continuing to volunteer for law school writing classes and mock trial competitions. Outside of the courtroom, Christine is a self-proclaimed foodie and wanderer who enjoys traveling, experimenting with new and exciting cuisines, and spending time with family and friends. She is also passionate about animals and is an active supporter of several local animal shelters and rescue organizations.
- Northern Illinois University College of Law
- J.D. (2016) | Law
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- Honors: Dean's List, graduated cum laude
- Activities: Trial Advocacy Society Phi Alpha Delta
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- Northern Illinois University
- M.A. (2003) | Sociology/Criminology
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- Honors: Dean's List Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society
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- Northern Illinois University
- B.A. (1994) | English Education/History
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- Honors: Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society
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- Attorney, Of Counsel
- Arteaga Law, LLC
- - Current
- Associate Attorney
- Mulyk Laho Law, LLC
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- Associate Attorney
- Castlebrook Law, P.C.
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- Associate Attorney
- Van Der Snick Law Firm, Ltd.
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- 711 Intern
- Kane County State's Attorney
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- Certificate in Criminal Practice
- Northern Illinois University College of Law
- Mentor of the Year
- Northern Illinois University College of Law
- Kendall County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- State Bar of Illinois # 6324104
- Member
- - Current
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- Phi Alpha Delta West Suburban Illinois Alumni Chapter
- Member
- - Current
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- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- DuPage County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Kane County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- DeKalb County Bar Association
- Member
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- American Bar Association
- Member
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- Illinois
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- ID Number: 6324104
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Free Consultation
We offer free 30-minute consultations for all cases in person, via Zoom or over the phone (60 minutes for Estate Planning consultations. -
Credit Cards Accepted
We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Fees are based on the nature of the case and the anticipated complexity of the legal issues to be addressed. Please contact our office for more information.
- Family Law
- Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Traffic Tickets
- Suspended License
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- DUI & DWI
- Criminal Law
- Drug Crimes, Expungement, Theft
- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- Q. I have been married for three years and six months. . .am I obligated to paying alimony to my spouse upon divorce?
- A: The easy answer to your question is "maybe." Whether or not you are obligated to pay alimony - now called "maintenance" - depends on a number of factors, including not only how long you have been married, but who is the primary earner and amount of your respective incomes. And you and your spouse can always agree to waive maintenance as a part of a settlement deal. While there are always exceptions to the rule, the "good" news is that with a marriage as short as yours, if you ARE obligated to pay maintenance and your spouse is unwilling to waive it, the duration of your obligation to pay should be relatively short.
- Q. For violation of 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, the Statute says a max $75 fine for 1st offense, but way is online charging $164?
- A: In traffic cases, there are court fees and costs that are added to your fines. These will vary from county to county and include the costs of court administration and in some counties, "contributions" to certain funds and endowments. Unfortunately, these are mandatory and will not be waived by the court.
- Q. I filed a petition for divorce and summons. Respondent was served by the sheriff. An answer was filed by the Responden.
- A: So long as the Respondent filed his Answer with the court after being served, the court would be unlikely to approve a default judgment against them unless they took no other action moving forward in this case. While the failure to provide a copy of the Answer to you is something you could (and should!) bring up with the court, it is not grounds for a default. In this instance, rather than filing a motion with the court, the better route would be to bring up the failure to provide the document to you at your next court appearance so the court can admonish the Respondent to serve you with copies of all documents moving forward. Motions - while appropriate in some situations - will ultimately delay ... Read More