Christine Bussey

Christine “Cristie” Bussey considers Alabama her home, despite having moved here from Virginia as a rising fifth grader. Cristie grew up in Vestavia Hills and graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts. A member of both the University’s Honors Program and the Department of Criminal Justice’s Honors Program, she earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Thereafter, Cristie went on to obtain her Master of Science from UAB, as well complete PhD coursework and qualifying exams at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Cristie was a criminologist, teaching and researching myriad topics related to some of society’s most pressing issues, many of them related to the family. For her, the knowledge and skills honed in this first career benefit her and her clients in the work she now performs practicing law: She revels in fact-finding; insists upon detailed organization of information; delights in critical analysis; and loves learning about, and advocating for, her clients.

After graduating from Birmingham School of Law, Cristie practiced criminal defense, family law, and general civil litigation. A mother of four, whose past teaching and research often addressed familial issues, Cristie’s decision to focus on divorce and custody matters came about quite seamlessly.

Cristie is married to Donnie Bussey, and they live in Jefferson County with their children. They are members of Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church, where each of their little ones has attended preschool. Cristie enjoys reading, listening to music, making crafts with her kids, seeing her friends as much as she can, and attempting to embrace all the beauty of the outdoors.