Christine Lynne Derr
About Christine
Biography
Christine L. Derr is a Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law. While Ms. Derr is recognized as a skilled litigator, she is equally adept at fashioning creative, mutually beneficial resolutions in mediation and through her collaborative divorce practice.
While she is proud of her success in the courtroom, Ms. Derr’s experience has taught her that the most advantageous way to resolve a case is usually at the negotiation table. Ms. Derr believes that the collaborative process is suited for cases where the parties seek a confidential, less contentious solution. Regardless of whether a case is collaborative or contested, Ms. Derr puts the same efforts to analyze each case, get the right answers, and allow clients to make informed decisions. Ms. Derr believes that clients are in the best position to make decisions about their families and finances, and an attorney’s role is to use her training, analysis and experience to help navigate those decisions. Ms. Derr is also a skilled litigator, with extensive trial experience in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk Counties.
Christine was born in San Francisco, raised in California and has lived in Tampa since 1999. Christine received her B.A. with honors in history from the University of California at Berkeley and her J.D. from the University of Florida. In law school, Christine served as a judicial intern to the late Honorable Alexander L. Paskay. Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge Emeritus for the Middle District of Florida, and as a research assistant to Professor Barbara Bennett Woodhouse. Christine began her legal career at Harris & Hunt, P.A., formed her own firm, Derr Law Firm for nine years, and then merged her firm to form Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. in 2018.
Ms. Derr is active in voluntary bar associations including currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, and the Executive Council of the Stann Givens American Family Law Inn of Court. She served as Past Chair of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, Hillsborough County Bar Association Family Law Section and the Hillsborough County Bar Association Collaborative Law Section. She has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Florida Super Lawyers®, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and received professionalism awards from her peers from at Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (2018), and the Theodore Millison Professionalism Award (2013) by the Family Law Inn of Tampa. Ms. Derr has served as a Guardian Ad Litem on dozens of Hillsborough County family law matters. Ms. Derr completed Family Mediation Certification training, has served as a family law mediator, and speaks regularly on family law matters.
Ms. Derr is active in service and civic organizations including ten years as a volunteer with Lawyers for Literacy. She is an active Rotarian currently serving on the Board of Directors of The Rotary Club of Tampa and serving as Chair of the Rotary Club of Tampa Foundation.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 20 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
Harris, Hunt & Derr, PA
100 S Ashley Drive, Suite 300, Tampa, FL, 33602
Harris, Hunt & Derr, PA
2300 5th Avenue North, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33713
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Christine Lynne Derr's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
4 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Posted by Alana | July 04, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Family
The BEST ever!
I wish I could give Christine a million stars! She helped me through my paternity case and did a phenomenal job. Christine is worth every penny for the hard work and committment she puts into her clients. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of a Family Law attorney!
Posted by Martha | November 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
THE BEST THERE IS!
I went through two other lawyers before Ms Derr was recommended to me by my equally awesome certified divorce financial analyst Robert Kokol. All lawyers are not the same. If you need a divorce lawyer Derr law firm is the best.
Posted by Jessica | April 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Family
Divorce
I hired Christine to oversee my divorce, and I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job. Her mastery and knowledge of the intricacies of Family Law is impeccable. What could have turned out to be a messy, costly divorce trial ultimately settled in mediation...largely thanks to Christine. She is t...
Posted by Betsy | March 18, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Divorce
In 2010, I hired Christine Derr to file my divorce. She acted quickly, was always empathetic & professional. The only negative is when you a hire an Attorney, who is AWESOME, you get a bit spoiled and I didn't know once your case was closed, you no longer are tied to that Attorney. I was used to Ch...
Christine Lynne Derr's Lawyer Endorsements
"Ms. Derr is the family law attorney we all aspire to be. She is highly professional, trustworthy and extremely knowledgable. I always enjoy working with her and have sought her advice many times on my own cases. I recommend and endorse Christine for any family law matter."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Derr and I have worked together in numerous capacities. I have mediated for her and served on several committees with her. She is extremely knowledgeable in her field and takes full command of any task before her. She is an excellent attorney."
"I had the pleasure of working with Christine on a highly contested divorce matter. Christine was always professional, courteous, and knowledgeable."
"I have had the pleasure of opposing Christine on several highly contested cases. She is an extremely knowledgeable and skilled family practitioner, always well prepared, and extremely professional. I endorse her without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ms. Derr for several years now and have always found her to be professional, competent and insightful."
"Christine Derr is a Board Certified attorney who know how to advocate professionally for her clients. I have seen her impressive work at mediation as well as preparing for trial. You can't go wrong with selecting Ms. Derr as your attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Christine is the consummate professional."
"I endorse this lawyer. Christine is a passionate attorney who knows and understands the needs of her clients. She treats every case with honesty and integrity. She is seen by her peers as professional and ethical."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Christine has quickly proven to be a leader in the legal community, through her active involvement in HAWL and the Hillsborough County Family Law Section. She has also been identified as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers. I would highly endorse Christine."
"I endorse this lawyer. I was opposing counsel on a divorce case with Christine. She is an excellent attorney and was a zealous advocate for her client. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a family law attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Christine has a reputation in our legal community for being a zealous advocate for her clients while still maintaining a level of professionalism that ranks her among one of the best lawyers to work with on family law matters. She has a vast knowledge of the law and the ability to convey her clients' positions to the judge."
"Christine is one of the most well respected family law attorneys in Tampa. She is professional, compassionate and experienced. I recommend her to anyone in need of a family law or estate planning attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Christine is a well-respected attorney in the area. She is an ethical and strong advocate for her clients."
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Experience
Honors
2016
Super Lawyer in Family Law, Super Lawyers
2016
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer in Family Law, Florida Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer in Family Law, Florida Super Lawyers
2014
Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2013
Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law, The Florida Bar
2013
Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2013
Rising Star in Family Law, Super Lawyers
2012
Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2012
Rising Star in Family Law, Super Lawyers
2011
Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2011
Rising Star in Family Law, Super Lawyers
2010
Rising Star in Family Law, Super Lawyers
2010
Theodore Millison Professionalism Award, Family Law Inn of Court
2009
Rising Star in Family Law, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Shareholder, Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A.
2009 - 2017
Owner, Derr Law Firm
2004 - 2008
Associate Attorney, Harris & Hunt, P.A.
Associations
2019 - Present
Hillsborough Association for Women LawyersBoard of Directors, Past President’s Advisory Council
2014 - Present
Family Law American Inn of Court of TampaSecretary
2013 - Present
Rotary ClubMember
2013 - Present
Hillsborough County Bar Association, Family Law SectionBench-Bar Committee
2013 - Present
Collaborative Divorce Institute of Tampa BayMember
2013 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2013 - Present
Are You Safe, Inc.Board Member
2010 - Present
Family Law Inn of CourtExecutive Committee
2010 - Present
The Pearl Society (women's giving circle for Bay Area Legal Services)Member
2009 - Present
Hillsborough County Bar Association, Marital and Family Law SectionExecutive Council
2008 - Present
Lawyers for LiteracyTutor to 3rd graders
2005 - Present
Hillsborough County Bar Association
2005 - Present
Family Law Inn of Court
2005 - Present
Florida Bar
2014 - 2015
Hillsborough County Bar Association, Collaborative Law SectionChairperson
2011 - 2012
Hillsborough Association for Women LawyersPast President
2011 - 2012
Hillsborough County Bar Association, Family Law SectionPresident
2010 - 2011
Family Law Section of Hillsborough County Bar AssociationPresident-Elect
2010 - 2011
Hillsborough Association for Women LawyersPresident
2010 - 2010
The Tampa ConnectionClass of 2010
2009 - 2010
Family Law Section of Hillsborough County Bar AssociationExecutive Counsel - Secretary/Treasurer
2009 - 2010
Hillsborough Association for Women LawyersPresident-Elect
2008 - 2009
Hillsborough Association for Women LawyersVice President of Programs
2007 - 2008
Hillsborough Association for Women LawyersTreasurer
2006 - 2010
Network of Executive Women
Education
2004
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Parenting & Children's Issues
2013
Use of Guardian ad Litem in Family Law Cases
2009
Family Law
Publications
2012
2009
2006
Languages
English