Burg, Debra M.

Christi L. Burda was born in Wayne, Michigan and raised in Plymouth, Michigan, graduating from Plymouth-Salem High School in 1976. She then attended the University of Michigan where she majored in Secondary Education, and graduated in 1982.

Christi became employed at a local crisis center where she counseled women and children who were victims of sexual assault, and acted as their advocate through the criminal justice system. She also developed an innovative program at the Muskegon Correctional Facility, facilitating programs for inmates convicted of sexual assault and women who had been victimized. And, at the request of the late Hon. Fredric A. Grimm, she replaced him on the legislative committee developing what is now known as the Michigan Crime Victim’s Rights Act. Along the way, she developed an interest in law.

She attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she received her Juris Doctorate in 1989. While in law school, Christi worked for the State Appellate Defender Office.

From 1989 to 1991, Christi served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Muskegon County. She then worked for a law firm where she primarily handled workers’ disability compensation, personal injury and medical malpractice cases on behalf of plaintiffs. Christi was also appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General, handling condemnation cases on behalf of the Michigan Department of Transportation.

In 1994, Christi established her own firm, handling family law, neglect and juvenile delinquency, workers’ compensation, personal injury and condemnation matters. Christi later joined a litigation firm in Grand Rapids, specializing in the defense of workers’ disability compensation cases, and condemnation matters, and a Hudsonville firm, where she specialized in litigation, focusing on the areas workers’ disability compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, Social Security disability and family law.

In September of 2006, Christi opened Burda Law Offices, PLC in Grand Haven, Michigan, currently located in the Chase Bank Building, at 300 Washington Avenue. She specializes in domestic and family law, including divorce, custody, parenting time, and child support, as well as criminal law, including traffic, misdemeanors and felonies. She also focuses on children’s law such as children’s protective proceedings, and probate matters including guardianships and conservatorships.

Special Appointments

Public Defender - Neglect and Abuse

Ottawa County Circuit Court, Family Division, 2006 - Present

 
Public Defender - Criminal (Non-Capital Offenses)

Ottawa County District and Circuit Courts, 2010 - Present

 
Special Assistant Attorney General

Michigan Department of Transportation - Condemnation, 1992 - 2003
 

Michigan Appointed Appellate Counsel

Lansing, Michigan, 1995

 
Public Defender / Conflict Cases

Muskegon County District and Circuit Courts, 1994 - 1995
 

Contract Attorney - Neglect and Abuse, Delinquency, Mental Commitment

Muskegon County, Michigan, 1994 - 1995