Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Amy B. Christiansen as a Will County Circuit Judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, First Subcircuit.

Ms. Christiansen was appointed to fill the Twelfth Circuit vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Dave Carlson, effective April 30. Ms. Christiansen’s appointment is effective June 7, 2024, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.

“Amy Christiansen is a highly skilled litigator whose contributions to the legal community and the Will County Public Defender's Office have been invaluable,” Justice O’Brien said. “Moreover, Ms. Christiansen’s two decades of public service experience provide her with a unique understanding of many of the issues that will come before her as a Will County circuit judge. I have the utmost confidence that she will make an outstanding circuit judge.”

Ms. Christiansen has served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Will County Public Defender’s Office since 2005 and was made Felony Courtroom Supervisor in 2019. In this role she manages case distribution and assists courtroom attorneys with all phases of legal representation. Since 2014 she has also served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Will County Problem Solving Courts, assisting clients in all phases of mental health court participation. From 2001 to 2004 she was a staff attorney for the United Neighborhood Organization.

Ms. Christiansen earned her bachelor’s degree from The American University and earned her Juris Doctor from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.