Jeanine Pirro is a well-known name to many. As a former judge and a popular television personality, she has been in the public eye for a long time. While many people are familiar with Jeanine Pirro’s career and public life, they might be curious about her family.
Bio
| Full Name | Cristine Pirro |
| Nicknames | Christi, Kiki |
| Date of Birth | June 23, 1985 |
| Age | 39 years old (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Rye, New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (White) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Parents | Jeanine Pirro (mother), Albert Pirro (father) |
| Siblings | Alexander Pirro (younger brother) |
| Education | – Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications, University of Pennsylvania- Juris Doctor (JD), University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School- Certificate in Business Economics, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Attorney and law clerk; restructuring partner at Ropes & Gray LLP in New York |
| Clerkship | Law clerk for Chief Judge Arthur J. Gonzalez, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York |
| Marital Status | Married to Zak Schwarzman since August 19, 2017 |
| Children | One child, Cameron “Cam” Pirro Schwarzman, born June 26, 2021 |
| Residence | New York City, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 121 lbs (55 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Notable Achievements | – Named in the “40 Under 40” list by the American Bankruptcy Institute- Completed the NYC Marathon in 2024 |
Early Life and Family Connections
Christi Pirro was born on June 23, 1985. Her parents are Jeanine Pirro and Albert Pirro. Growing up with parents involved in the legal world likely provided her with early exposure to this demanding field.
Jeanine Pirro had a distinguished career as a prosecutor and judge before becoming a television host, and Albert Pirro also worked in law. Christi also has a brother named Alexander Pirro.
Being part of a family where law was a central focus may have influenced Christi’s own career choices. However, as we will see, she has carved out a distinct area of expertise within the legal profession, separate from the public-facing roles often associated with her mother. Her early life provided a foundation, but her later achievements are a result of her own hard work and intelligence.
A Strong Educational Foundation
A strong education is often the first step towards a successful career, and Christi Pirro built a solid foundation for her future. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, a highly respected university. At the University of Pennsylvania, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating with honors (cum laude).
After completing her undergraduate studies, Christi continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Law school is known for being rigorous and demanding, requiring intense study and a deep understanding of complex legal principles. Her decision to pursue a law degree shows an early commitment to the legal profession.
In addition to her law degree, she also earned a Certificate in Business Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. This additional study in business economics suggests an interest in the financial and economic aspects that often intersect with the law, which is particularly relevant to her later career path.
Attending these prestigious institutions provided Christi with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to excel in the legal field. Her dedication to her studies during these years laid the groundwork for her professional success.
Starting a Career in Law
After completing her extensive education, Christi Pirro began her legal career. The initial years in the legal profession are crucial for gaining practical experience and developing expertise. Like many law school graduates, she would have started by working to apply her academic knowledge to real-world legal situations.
Early in her career, she had the valuable opportunity to work as a law clerk for Chief Judge Gonzalez of the Southern District of New York. Clerking for a judge is a significant step for a new lawyer.
It provides an inside look at the judicial process, a deeper understanding of legal arguments, and experience in legal research and writing under the guidance of an experienced judge. This experience likely provided her with important insights and skills that would benefit her throughout her career.
This early work helped her transition from the academic environment of law school to the practical demands of legal practice. It allowed her to hone her legal skills and gain exposure to different areas of law, ultimately guiding her towards her specialization.
Focusing on Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law
Christi Pirro chose to specialize in an area of law called bankruptcy and restructuring. This is a complex but very important field. In simple terms, bankruptcy law deals with what happens when individuals or companies cannot pay their debts. Restructuring often involves helping companies that are having financial trouble to reorganize their business and debts so they can continue operating.
As a bankruptcy and restructuring attorney, Christi helps clients navigate difficult financial situations. This can involve representing companies that need to file for bankruptcy protection, or working with businesses to find ways to restructure their debts and avoid bankruptcy. She might also represent creditors, who are owed money by individuals or companies in financial distress.
This area of law requires a strong understanding of finance and business, in addition to legal knowledge. Her Certificate in Business Economics from Wharton likely gave her a valuable advantage in this specialized field. It shows a commitment to understanding the financial complexities that are central to bankruptcy and restructuring cases.
Achieving Partnership at Ropes & Gray
Christi Pirro’s career progression led her to become a restructuring partner at a major law firm, Ropes & Gray. Becoming a partner at a firm like Ropes & Gray is a significant achievement in the legal profession. It signifies a high level of expertise, experience, and trust within the firm. Partners are typically leaders within their practice areas and play a key role in the firm’s work and success.
At Ropes & Gray, she works on complex business restructuring cases. This involves advising companies, investors, and other parties involved in situations where businesses are facing financial challenges. Her work helps these entities find legal and financial solutions to overcome difficulties and move forward.
Her role as a partner means she is likely leading teams on cases, making important strategic decisions, and providing expert advice to clients. This position is a testament to her hard work, legal skills, and her ability to handle challenging financial and legal issues. It shows she has reached a senior and respected position within her field.
Recognition for Her Legal Expertise
Christi Pirro’s skill and dedication in the field of bankruptcy and restructuring law have been recognized by others in the legal community. Receiving recognition and awards is a way that the legal profession acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent and made significant contributions.
She has been named as one of six “top bankruptcy attorneys under 40” by Law360. This is a notable recognition that highlights her early impact and promise in her specialization. Being recognized among the top young professionals in a competitive field like law is a significant honor.
She has also been included in lists such as “40 Under 40” by both the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) and Global Restructuring Review (GRR). These lists typically identify rising stars and influential individuals in the bankruptcy and restructuring world. Her inclusion on these lists further underscores her standing and reputation within her area of expertise.
Additionally, she has been recognized as “Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyer of the Year” by Women in Business Law. This award specifically celebrates the achievements of women in complex areas of business law, highlighting her success and leadership as a female attorney in a demanding field.
The legal guide Chambers USA has also noted her work, stating that she “provides clients with adept handling of chapter 11 cases and out-of-court workouts, among other matters.” Chambers USA is known for providing in-depth rankings and reviews of lawyers and law firms based on extensive research and peer reviews. This recognition from a respected legal directory reinforces her reputation for skillfully handling significant restructuring cases.
These forms of recognition from various legal publications and organizations demonstrate that Christi Pirro is a highly respected and accomplished attorney in her field. They are a testament to her expertise, hard work, and the positive impact she has had through her legal work.
Handling Complex Cases Simply Explained
In her work as a restructuring attorney, Christi Pirro handles a variety of complex situations. While the details of these cases can be very technical, the basic idea is that she helps businesses in financial trouble. This can involve representing companies that are reorganizing under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 11 allows a company to continue operating while it works out a plan to repay its debts.
She also assists with “out-of-court restructurings.” This is when a company works with its lenders and creditors to change the terms of its debts without going through the formal bankruptcy court process. This often requires careful negotiation and legal strategy.
Her work can involve representing different parties in these situations, including the companies themselves (debtors), or the people and organizations that are owed money (creditors). She helps these clients understand their legal options and works to achieve the best possible outcome for them in challenging financial circumstances.
While the specific details of each case are complex, her role is essentially to use her legal and financial knowledge to help businesses navigate difficult financial periods and find solutions that allow them to survive and hopefully thrive in the future. This work requires a sharp mind, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to manage many details.
Personal Life and Marriage
Beyond her successful legal career, Christi Pirro also has a personal life. She is married to Zak Schwarzman. While details about their personal life are kept private, news reports have mentioned their marriage. One report described their wedding as a “picture-perfect wedding day.”
Balancing a demanding career as a partner at a major law firm with personal life is something many professionals strive for. While specific details are not publicly available, it is common for individuals in high-pressure careers to make time for their families and personal relationships.
Her marriage to Zak Schwarzman is a part of her life outside of her professional work, highlighting that like many people, she has built a family life alongside her career.
Christi Pirro’s Own Accomplishments
It is clear that while Christi Pirro is known to many as Jeanine Pirro’s daughter, she has achieved significant success based on her own merit and hard work. She chose a demanding profession and has risen to a prominent position within it.
Her education at top universities and law school provided the foundation, but her dedication and skill as a bankruptcy and restructuring attorney have led to her recognition as a leader in her field.
Her work helps companies navigate difficult financial times, contributing to the stability of businesses and the economy.
The awards and recognition she has received from respected legal organizations underscore her expertise and the positive impact she has made in her specialization. She has built a career that is distinct from her mother’s, focusing on complex financial and corporate legal matters.
