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.
