Christy Heiskala

Bio

Christy Heiskala is a Credentialed Survivor Advocate and Trauma Informed Law Specialist. Her personal experience as a survivor navigating the criminal justice process and as a plaintiff in civil litigation and civil trial was the catalyst for her becoming an advocate. Christy is the first credentialed advocate employed by a civil litigation firm and is trailblazing a path for future civil litigation advocates by speaking nationally on the importance of providing trauma-informed support in every law firm.

Christy is on a mission to change the justice-seeking experience. She provides trauma-informed support for our clients, our team, and has trained hundreds of legal professionals nationwide on trauma-informed law and the neurobiology of trauma. She offers trauma-informed law training with a 1-hr MCLE wellness credit through the State Bar of California. 

Christy holds multiple certifications, including Credentialed Advocate (CA) from the National Organization for Victim Assistance; Certified Victim Advocate from the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crimes; Certified Crisis Intervention Counselor from the California Office of Emergency Services; and Certified Trauma Support Specialist from the Arizona Trauma Institute.

Christy currently serves on the Lawyers Club of San Diego Gender Equity Committee and the Women’s Caucus of Consumer Attorneys of San Diego. Christy previously served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children and as a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) advocate for survivors. Christy served as a legislative consultant to Chelsea’s Light Foundation and worked to help pass Chelsea’s Law AB1844 for sexually violent predators. 

Christy was awarded Women of Influence in Law 2025 by the San Diego Business Journal and Legal Support Professional Honoree 2025 by the San Diego County Bar Association. 

She is a co-author of the international best-selling book Stop the Silence: Thriving After Child Sexual Abuse. 

A native of southern California, Christy enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, concerts, and e-biking with her husband.