She then attended the Golden Gate University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1986.

From 1987 to 2002, she was in private practice at the law firm Preston Gates & Ellis, becoming a partner in 1993.

[5] Christen was opposed by anti-abortion advocacy groups due to her service as a Planned Parenthood board member in the mid-1990s.

[3][5] Nonetheless, on March 4, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin selected Christen to fill the vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court.

[5] On May 18, 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Christen to the seat on the Ninth Circuit vacated by Andrew Kleinfeld, who assumed senior status on June 12, 2010.