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Christina is a partner at the Raleigh-based law firm of Smith Debnam and a member of the firm’s creditors’ rights practice group. An accomplished attorney known for handling a large volume of cases with precision and grace, she represents a wide range of businesses through all stages of creditor representation, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions. In her practice group, she actively leads approximately 75 employees, including two attorney associates, in addition to managing the leadership development of five direct reports. In 2016, she was named to the 25 Most Influential Women in Collections by Collection Advisor Magazine. Christina was named to the 2020 class of East Carolina University’s 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards. In 2021, she was appointed to serve a four-year term on the East Carolina University (ECU) Women’s Roundtable Board of Directors.

She enjoys serving in her local community and quick to get involved whenever there’s a need. Her passion projects involve serving underprivileged or at-risk youth. She is an active volunteer at Community Hope (a YMCA literacy program) and she serves on the board for Root Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for a local elementary school. She’s also an active supporter of the YMCA’s We Build People Campaign.

Kind assertiveness is a trademark of Christina’s style, making her a zealous advocate in the courtroom and in negotiations. This is why she so often receives handwritten thank you notes touting her exceptional display of kindness and respect. For clients, it’s a win-win.

Christina earned her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University Law School and a Bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Commercial Law League of America, National Creditors Bar Association, North Carolina Creditors’ Bar, and the Wake County Bar Association.

Proven Record of Excellence

My Credentials

Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, Western District of North Carolina
  • Virginia State Bar

Education

  • J.D., North Carolina Central University, 2006
  • B.S., Family and Community Studies, East Carolina University, 2003
    Minor, Business Management

Professional Affiliations

  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Wake County Bar Association; Young Lawyer’s Division; Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial District Bar Swearing-In Committee Member and Past Chair; Lunch with a Lawyer Program
  • Commercial Law League of America (CLLA), Member
  • National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA), Member
  • North Carolina Creditors’ Bar, Member
  • East Carolina University Women’s Roundtable Board of Directors, Member
  • East Carolina University Foundation, Member
  • Virginia Creditors’ Bar Association, Member

Awards & Recognition

Civic Involvement

  • Community Hope, Mentor
  • Wake County Bar Association, 2009 Service Juris Day, Planning Liaison
  • Teen Court, Judge
  • Intramural Softball
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Member Leadership Raleigh 25, 2009-2010

 

Published Articles

  • Confirming Arbitration Awards in State Courts, Consumer Collection Committee Newsletter (2008)

My Experience

  • Advantage Assets, Inc. II, Assignee of MBNA America Bank v. Tommy A. Howell, 663 S.E.2d 8; 2008 N.C. App. Lexis 812 (N.C. App. 2008) (represented appellee/creditor regarding enforcement of arbitration award in state court)
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