Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in Arizona since: 2006
Education: South Texas College of Law Houston
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 Call today:
602-307-0808
Free Consultation DM Cantor
40 N Central AveSuite 2300
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Visit website
A partner and managing attorney of the law office of DM Cantor in Phoenix, Arizona, Christine Whalin provides judicious legal representation to clients across the state who face criminal allegations ranging from child molestation, manslaughter, Aggravated DUI, drug possession and domestic violence to fraudulent schemes, money laundering, embezzlement and gambling violations, and many more. She is well-equipped to handle state and federal criminal charges, and felonies and misdemeanors, as well as school disciplining issues and Title IX violations.
Ms. Whalin completed her undergraduate studies in 1999, graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Northern Arizona University. She went on to enroll in the South Texas College of Law, where she honed her legal acumen and talents to help her clients today. After receiving her Juris Doctor in 2006, she obtained her license to practice law in Arizona the same year.
A consummate professional through and through, Ms. Whalin understands the immense pressure a criminal charge can have on an individual, and she works relentlessly to resolve their legal matters without adding any undue stress and providing her clients the confidence that their legal matters will be handled gracefully and with poise. For her many contributions, she has been lauded by myriad legal organizations, including:
· Being peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell
· Holding a perfect “10.0” rating on Avvo, along with hosting many positive client testimonials on the site
· Recognition as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association
· Becoming board-certified as a criminal law specialist by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
Outside her law practice, Ms. Whalin holds close affiliations with many legal organizations to further progress the standard of client care within her legal community to even greater heights, including the National Association of Criminal of Defense Lawyers and the Arizona Women Lawyers Association. Furthermore, she is part of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona and is a Master of the Bench at the Arizona Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Probation, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crime
- 70% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2006, Arizona
Professional Webpage: https://dmcantor.com/about-dmc/christine-whalin
Bar / Professional Activity
- Arizona State Bar, 2006
- Most Influential Women In Arizona Business, 2023
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association, 2021
- Arizona Attorney Ethics Advisory Committee, 2022
- Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist per the State Bar of Arizona , 2015
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Partial Acquittal After Trial: My client was charged with numerous counts of both felony and misdemeanor charges of Public Sexual Indecency and Indecent Exposure along with one count of Aggravated Assault as a Class 3 offense, against an officer. He was facing eight counts total. The allegations involved multiple victims, multiple dates of violations, and numerous children victims where police alleged that my client was masturbating in front of children. After trial, the jury acquitted my client of all but two of the felony offenses and one of the misdemeanor offenses making him probation eligible. At sentencing we were able to have him placed on probation and he was not required to register as a sex offender. , 2015
- Child Sexual Trafficking Charge where client faced a range of 13 - 27 years in the Department of Corrections; Convicted only of the lesser offense of Misdemeanor Prostitution and client was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 15 days in jail, given credit for 2 days. , 2023
- Using a Minor in a Drug Offense Charge filed in Yavapai County - Rule 20 (Directed Verdict of Not Guilty) after trial commenced. , 2024
- Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse charge filed in Cochise County (Bisbee, Arizona) - Not Guilty after trial , 2024
- Not Guilty - Complete Acquittal after Trial: My client, who was on probation and had multiple prior felony offenses, was charged with Aggravated Assault against an Officer. Due to his prior convictions and the allegation that he was on probation at the time of the offense, he faced no less than 10 years in prison. After trial, the jury found him Not Guilty of all offenses. , 2011
- Not Guilty - Complete Acquittal after Trial: My client was charged with Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a Class 2 Dangerous Crime Against Children. If convicted he faced life in prison. After trial my client was found Not Guilty. , 2010
- Not Guilty - Complete Acquittal after Trial: My client was charged with one count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class 3 felony offense. He was facing a significant amount of prison time if convicted as it was alleged that he had multiple prior felony convictions and was on release at the time he allegedly committed this new offense. After trial, the jury found him Not Guilty. , 2009
- Not Guilty of All Felony Offenses; Convicted of a Lesser Included Misdemeanor Offense: My client was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a Class 3 Dangerous Felony Offense and Disorderly Conduct, a Class 6 Dangerous Felony Offense. If convicted he faced between 5-15 years alone on the Aggravated Assault charge. After trial my client was found Not Guilty of both dangerous felony offenses and was convicted of a lesser included misdemeanor assault charge, saving him years in prison. , 2009
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
Pro bono / Community Service
- Maricopa County Bar Association - Criminal Division - Board Member, 2024
- Breakthrough T1D (formally Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)) - Arizona Chapter Board Member, 2024
Honors
- AV Rated, Martindale, 2021
- Christine was selected as one of five finalists in the running for Lawyer of the Year from the Excellence in Law Awards., Finalist for Lawyer of the Year, Excellence in Law Awards, 2025
- 10.0 on AVVO, AVVO, 2021
- AV Rated, Martindale, 2020
- Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AZ Business, 2019
- AV Rated, Martindale, 2019
- AV Rated, Martindale, 2018
Educational Background
- South Texas College of Law, 2006
- Northern Arizona University, 1999
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Women of the C-Suite - AZ Business, 2024
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
Certificates and credentials
Criminal Law
