“My role is to sweat the small stuff, so my clients don’t have to. I am passionate about using my legal experience to help fight for justice on my clients’ behalf.”
North Carolina Advocates for Justice Member
Served as a pro bono attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice
Spent years researching proper compliance by insurers
Attorney Cristen Bartus (Partner)
Cristen Bartus joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2012 as a personal injury attorney. She is a Partner at the firm and leads the settlement administration team which liaises with health insurance providers and oversees the distribution of settlements. Her team strives to ensure that our clients who are owed a settlement receive it in full as quickly as possible.
Cristen grew up on the east side of Toledo, Ohio as the only child of hard-working parents who instilled in her a tireless work ethic and can-do attitude. She was a high-achieving student and attended the University of Toledo as an undergraduate and law student.
Wanting to travel and explore life outside of Ohio, Cristen accepted a Janet D. Steiger Fellowship and spent a summer of law school in Anchorage at the Office of the Attorney General of Alaska. In addition to reviewing consumer complaints, drafting recommendations for future actions, and writing articles within the Consumer Protection Unit, Cristen traversed the state, exploring the wilderness and interacting with individuals from all over the country.
Drawn to North Carolina and the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
Following law school graduation, Cristen and her husband, Greg, decided to move to North Carolina, the one state that kept getting top billing in their extensive research and alumni inquiries. She initially worked as a regulatory affairs contractor researching proper compliance by insurers and performed pro bono work as an attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.
Cristen lived close to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and recalls seeing the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin sign above the baseball field and thinking to herself, “That’s big time!” When she heard that the firm was looking for attorneys to assist with a massive civil rights case, she eagerly applied and was put in charge of a team of attorneys and paralegals. The firm successfully led several other firms in resolving the class action case, which resulted in a $1.25 billion settlement for 15,700 Black farmers who had been discriminated against by the USDA.1,3
Cristen’s hard work and dedication were recognized, and she was asked to join the settlement administration team at the firm after the civil rights case resolved. Partner Tara Williams, who managed the department from its creation, reflects that “Cristen’s ability to focus on the details of process and work product make her a natural fit for the settlement administration department.” Cristen also helps the firm’s Social Services Committee give back to the community.
“If I’m Not Planning a Trip, I’m on a Trip”
Cristen continues to travel far and wide to faraway destinations such as Morocco, Antarctica, and Uzbekistan. Her travel aspirations are limitless and include athletic endeavors like hiking to Mount Everest Base Camp. Back in Durham, she and Greg are dedicated runners and can be seen running on the area trails four times a week. Cristen balances out the running with weekly yoga and pilates and is also an avid cook and baker.
Read More
Former Car Crash Client, Online Google Review
Repeat James Scott Farrin Client, Online Google Review
For legal reasons and client confidentiality, reviews have been slightly edited to remove identifying information and correct typos.
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