Christen Yalda
Christen Yalda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law, and Justice, magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2022. She received her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2025 and was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2026. While in law school, Christen was a participant in the Society of Women in Law and the Middle Eastern and North African Law Students Association. She was also named to the Dean’s Honor List multiple semesters and received the CALI Award in Workers’ Compensation Law in 2024.
Prior to joining Gaido & Fintzen, Christen gained valuable legal experience through internships with both the C-K Law Group at Chicago-Kent College of Law and the Children’s Legal Center. As a Law Student Intern with the C-K Law Group, she worked closely with an attorney handling employee benefit claims, reviewing and organizing extensive medical records obtained through discovery, analyzing complex factual and medical issues, and assisting in the preparation of litigation materials, including a motion for summary judgment and statement of material facts. At the Children’s Legal Center, Christen assisted clients seeking asylum by preparing and filing immigration forms, conducting legal and factual research, gathering supporting documentation, and communicating directly with clients to develop and strengthen their cases. These experiences provided her with a strong foundation in legal research, case analysis, client communication, and advocacy.
Christen currently focuses her practice in workers’ compensation defense. Her background in analyzing medical records and complex legal issues, combined with her academic achievement in workers’ compensation law, allows her to effectively assist employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators in the defense of claims.
Christen is bilingual in Assyrian and is committed to serving her community. She has volunteered with the Assyrian Christian Church and Feed My Starving Children, reflecting her dedication to service both inside and outside the legal profession.