Danny Chrisney, the managing lawyer at the Wilner & O’Reilly |
Phoenix office, brings a unique perspective to his practice as the
son of a Guatemalan immigrant, allowing him to communicate fluently
in Spanish. Growing up in Southern California's Latino community,
Danny witnessed firsthand how our nation's immigration laws could
profoundly shape the lives of those around him.
His academic
journey led him to Brigham Young University, where he earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with a Minor in Portuguese. While at
BYU, Danny actively participated in the Maya K’iche program,
further deepening his understanding of linguistic nuances.
Danny continued
his education at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona
State University, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree with
Highest Pro Bono Distinction. His focus on Immigration Law and Policy
was evident during his time as a law student, where he engaged in the
Immigration Clinic both as a student and later as the professor's
assistant.
During law
school, Danny's commitment to immigration matters extended to his
work with USCIS at the Phoenix Field Office, earning him a
Certificate of Appreciation for his legal research. He also served as
a law clerk for the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project,
Children’s Division, a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing legal services to unaccompanied minors and other refugees.
In this role, he closely collaborated with Indigenous Guatemalan
children in the areas of Asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile
Status.
From 2017 to
2018, Danny took on the role of Student Director of the LDS
Immigration Initiative, a joint project between ASU Law and the
Welfare Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. In this capacity, he provided hands-on experience to law
students, assisting the immigrant community with intake consultations
at locations in Mesa and Phoenix, AZ.
Beyond his
professional endeavors, Danny finds joy in collecting vintage
electronics and music, as well as traveling with his family.
Currently residing in Mesa, AZ, with his wife and children, Danny
remains an active member of the legal community, participating in
associations such as the Chicano-Latino Law Students Association from
2015 to 2018 and the J. Ruben Clark Law Society from 2015 to the
present.