Terry Christensen was born in Los Angeles, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, with honors, from Stanford University in 1962 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California in 1965. At USC, he served on the Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif.

After law school, Christensen went on active duty in the Marine Corps. He rose to the rank of Captain and served primarily in the Judge Advocate General Corps with the Fifth Marine Division.

In 1969, Christensen joined the Los Angeles law firm, Wyman, Bautzer, Finell, Rothman & Kuchel, as an associate. In 1971, Christensen became a partner of the firm with a major emphasis in Commercial and securities litigation. While at the firm, Christensen represented a variety of clients including Admarketing, First Capital Holdings, MGM/UA, Paramount Pictures, PennCorp Financial, Reliance Group, Cap Cities/ABC, MGM Grand and Kirk Kerkorian. During the period, 1985-1986, Christensen served as the managing partner of the firm.

In 1987, Christensen left the law firm and became President of Kirk Kerkorian's wholly owned company, Tracinda Corporation. Tracinda owned the majority interest in MGM/UA Communications and while Christensen was President, Tracinda entered into a number of transactions including the formation of MGM Grand Air and the planning and formation of the new MGM Grand, Inc.

In May, 1988, Christensen returned to the practice of law and formed the law firm, now known as Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro, LLP. That firm, founded in 1988 with 14 attorneys has grown to 120 attorneys with departments in all areas associated with a business practice. Christensen has been managing partner of the firm since its inception. Christensen and his firm represent a variety of clients including U.S. Bank, East West Bank, City National Bank, City of Los Angeles, MGM Mirage, Kirk Kerkorian, Tracinda Corporation, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., County of Los Angeles, CKE Restaurants, Fidelity National Financial, Diamond Resorts, The Walt Disney Company, Majestic Realty, Paramount Pictures, Sony Entertainment, Kilroy Realty and Chicago Title.

Christensen won one of the largest securities cases in the country. The Insurance Commissioner for the State of Virginia had sued the officers and directors of Fidelity Bankers Life Insurance Company for over $300 million in Federal Court in Richmond, Virginia, alleging, among other charges, that the defendants had improperly invested the company's portfolio in High-Yield Bonds. The Virginia jury came in with a unanimous verdict for Mr. Christensen's clients on all counts. Mr. Christensen is also currently representing Fidelity National Financial and Chicago Title in a variety of matters, including both litigation and real estate restructuring transactions around the country.

Christensen's other activities have included serving on the board of directors of four public companies, including Mr. Kerkorian's MGM Mirage, Inc. and Fidelity National Financial, one of the largest title insurance companies in the country. Christensen also is a member of the Board of Councilors for the USC Law School. Christensen actively supports various charitable and educational endeavors including the Nevada Cancer Institute, the American Friends of Hebrew University, Saint Martin of Tours, Loyola High School and other Catholic charities. Christensen was named Chairman of the City Risk Management Task Force established by former Mayor Richard Riordan and former City Attorney and Mayor James Hahn to examine and modernize the City Attorney's Office. Christensen and his wife, Patricia, reside in Beverly Hills, California. Christensen has four children.