Hill, G. Bruce

When the courtroom door opened on the day of her first trial, Carissa took a confident step inside, knowing the practice of family law would be her true passion. Inside the courtroom is where Carissa feels most comfortable. The satisfaction she felt by helping her military client get joint legal custody of his children was professional but personal at the same time. Months later, Carissa would help her very first family law client get sole legal and physical custody of his young son. Carissa will remember every case she has handled because she truly cares about the people, the children, and the client’s future. Early in her career, she also practiced criminal law and bankruptcy, but the practice of family law would become the most fulfilling.

Carissa has since handled hundreds of trials before the Arizona Superior Courts in Maricopa County, Pinal County, Yavapai County, Coconino County, Yuma County, Navajo County, Mohave County and Gila County, as well as appearing on numerous occasions before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona in Maricopa County and Pinal County, the Arizona Court of Appeals – Divisions One and Two, and has handled criminal matters in Justice and Municipal Courts throughout Maricopa and Pinal Counties.

Growing up in Minnesota, she was surrounded by a supportive family who watched as she went from co-captain of a winning dance team to a strong and confident attorney specializing in family law.

One year after graduating from high school, Carissa moved to Arizona and attended Arizona State University, obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies, with a minor in Psychology, and graduating Summa Cum Laude. With a driving spirit behind her, she completed law school in two and one half years.

Carissa is well respected by her peers and by the legal community and has litigated hundreds of family law cases from grandparent’s rights, to custody, to child support, to division of assets and debts, to adoptions and termination of parental rights. Her clients say that she is compassionate, caring, protective and focused on solutions. Family has always played an important role in Carissa’s life, from her family in Minnesota, to her work family, to her “family” of friends and to her “family” of clients.
 
Carissa enjoys a very active lifestyle outside of work which includes travelling, playing league volleyball and softball, and when she’s not travelling out of town you can usually find her on a Saturday morning hiking in the mountains around the Valley. She is a resident of Gilbert and has been in Arizona for 13 years.