Kristen Messamore was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1998 after graduating from John Marshall Law School, which is now University Of Illinois Chicago School of Law. As a long term resident of Will County,  she began her practice as an associate attorney in Joliet at two private law firms from 1998-2023 handling criminal and civil cases.  Concurrently, Ms. Messamore practiced as a part time Assistant Will County Public Defender from 1999-2007 in the Juvenile Court Room.  From 2016 to 2023, she accepted court appointed appeals from termination of parental rights judgements; and from 2019-2023, she accepted court appointed guardian ad litem assignments in minors and disabled adults guardianship matters. 

Ms. Messamore has argued before the Illinois Supreme Court on two occasions.  Since September of 2023, she is once again enjoying practicing as an Assistant Public Defender in the Juvenile Court room.