Amy Christiansen was born and raised in City of Chicago.  She graduated from college at The American University in Washington, D.C. in May 2007.  Ms. Christiansen earned her Bachelor of ArtsAmy Christiansen degree in Communications, Law, Economics, and Government.  She then attended Chicago Kent College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate degree in May 2001.  She has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since November 2001.

Prior to joining the Will County Public Defender's Office, Ms. Christiansen served as in-house counsel for The United Neighborhood Organization in Chicago where she helped form the UNO Charter School Network.  This network currently manages 15 charter schools in poverty stricked areas of the city.  Ms. Christiansen joined the Will County Public Defender's Office in September 2005.  Since that time, she has conducted over twenty-five (25) jury trials, including five (5) for First Degree Murder.  Ms. Christiansen has also been admitted to the Illinois Capital Litigation Trial Bar.