At Shaheen & Gordon, We Thrive on Winning.

Whether doing battle in court or working quietly behind the scenes, we stand up to protect you and your rights and provide you with the support and guidance you need.

Shaheen & Gordon founders, William H. Shaheen and Steven M. Gordon, served together as the United States Attorney and Assistant United States Attorney for New Hampshire from 1976 through 1981. When they left the U.S. Attorney’s Office, they went into private practice together. Their background in criminal prosecution formed the cornerstone of their criminal defense team in private practice.

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William E. Christie

Shareholder / Director

wchristie@shaheengordon.com
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Million Dollar Advocates

Bill is the Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and concentrates in the areas of federal and state criminal defense, complex civil litigation, heath care law, and election law.

He has been recognized for his creative legal work and accomplishments by various groups. Bill has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in criminal defense since 2016 and is serving a third term as District Representative under the Criminal Justice Act for the Federal District Court of New Hampshire. In the civil realm, he is a recipient of the Bill of Rights Award from The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union and the Granite Justice Award from the New Hampshire Democratic Party. He serves as legal counsel for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

Bill has successfully litigated claims against the State of New Hampshire in the areas of Election Law and First Amendment Law. In Guare v. State, the New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed with Bill’s arguments that newly adopted language on the New Hampshire voter registration form was unconstitutional. In Rideout v. Gardner, the First Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the New Hampshire “ballot selfie” law. On Election Day in 2014 and 2016, Bill convinced the New Hampshire Superior Court to extend polling hours in order to protect the right to vote. Bill has represented numerous elected officials and political organizations in a variety of legal matters.

In the early 2000s, Bill was appointed by a federal judge to serve as lead plaintiffs’ counsel in seven consolidated wrongful death lawsuits pending against the U.S. government in Federal Court in Boston arising from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s relationship with longtime Boston criminals and FBI informants James “Whitey” Bulger and Stephen “the Rifleman” Flemmi. After a six-year legal battle, Bill obtained a $3.1 million-dollar judgment against the government in 2006 that was described by the Boston Herald as “justice at last” for the plaintiff’s family and the community. In October 2010, Bill obtained a $925,000 award of attorneys’ fees against the United States after proving that government attorneys acted in bad faith when defending the lawsuit.

Bill also focuses on federal criminal defense and has obtained not guilty verdicts for clients charged with numerous offenses including tax evasion, embezzlement, aggravated sexual assault, first- and second-degree assault, and music bootlegging offenses. By employing a creative pretrial strategy, Bill has convinced prosecutors in many cases not to charge clients under investigation or to dismiss charges prior to trial based upon legal or factual defenses brought to the government’s attention.

Additionally, he represents health care practices and other businesses involved in regulatory or commercial disputes.

For over a decade, Bill has been recognized for his groundbreaking work in the areas of federal and state criminal defense and complex civil litigation. Whether a client’s best interests involves creative negotiation or an aggressive trial strategy, Bill has been successful in obtaining favorable results for individuals and companies in the state and federal courts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

For the past several years, Bill has served as lead plaintiffs’ counsel in seven consolidated wrongful death lawsuits against the United States Government in Federal Court in Boston, Massachusetts arising from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s relationship with longtime Boston area criminals and FBI informants James “Whitey” Bulger and Stephen “the Rifleman” Flemmi. After a six-year legal battle, in September 2006, Bill obtained a $3.1 million dollar judgment against the United States Government that was described by the Boston Herald editorial page as “justice at last” for the plaintiff’s family and for the “community” as well. In October 2010, Bill obtained a $925,000 award of attorneys’ fees against the United States after proving that government attorneys acted in bad faith.

Bill’s civil practice also involves representation of businesses involved in commercial disputes applying his negotiation and trial skills to protect his clients’ commercial interests and trade secrets.

Beyond complex civil litigation, Bill’s main practice area is criminal defense with a focus on federal criminal defense. Bill has represented numerous clients in Federal Court, including those charged with fraud offenses, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and drug offenses. Bill has successfully used his knowledge of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to obtain favorable results for numerous clients facing federal criminal charges.

Bill also has a significant State Court practice where he has represented clients charged with embezzlement, environmental offenses, as well as a variety of motor vehicle offenses, including negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.

Combining his expertise in civil and criminal matters, Bill conducts internal investigation for companies regulated by the state or federal governments and has successfully represented corporate and individual clients subject to “parallel” civil and criminal proceedings.

In December 2010, Bill was elected by his peers as the Criminal Just Act District Representative to serve as the liaison between the District Court, the United States Attorneys Office and the defense bar. Bill is also a member of the Federal Court Advisory Committee for the District of New Hampshire.

Admissions

  • Member of the Bar – New Hampshire
  • Member of the Bar – Massachusetts
  • United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • First Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Supreme Court

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • New Hampshire Bar Association
  • New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Super Lawyers

Recognition

  • Recipient of The 2014 Bill of Rights Award from The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union
  • Granite State Justice Award from the New Hampshire Democratic Party
  • Inducted into the Rockland High School Hall of Fame in June 2012 based upon academic and career achievements
  • Member of the Merit Selection Panel for the selection of the Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
  • Unanimously elected as Officer and Legal Counsel to the New Hampshire Democratic Party​

Community Involvement:

  • Board of the Friendly Kitchen, Concord, New Hampshire
  • Former Board Member of the Concord Family YMCA
  • Inducted into the Rockland High School Hall of Fame, 2012​

Career

  • B.A., Boston College, 1989 (Gasson Scholar Phi Beta Kappa)
  • J.D., Boston College Law School, 1994
  • Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., 1995-Present

Recent Publications

  • “FBI Found Responsible for Mob Informant’s Murder”
    published in the New Hampshire Trial Bar News (Summer, 2007)
  • “Jury held FBI to task for mob informant’s murder”
    published in the National Law Journal (March, 2007)

Representative Cases

  • McIntyre v. United States - United District Court District of Massachusetts

    In McIntyre v. United States, obtained an order requiring the United States to pay $925,000 in attorneys' fees by proving that government attorneys acted in bad faith by "lying" to the district court about the state of the evidence prior to trial.

  • $700,000 in U.S. District Court Case

    United States District Court – January 2012. Successfully settled a claim of attorneys fees in the amount of $700,000 after established that lawyers from the Department of Justice acted in bad faith during the course of litigation arising from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's corrupt relationship with Whitey Bulger and Stephen Flemmi.

  • $175,000 Tortuous Interference

    United States District Court – May 2011. Obtained $175,000 judgment on behalf of a commercial client who sued parent company of competitor in a tortuous interference with contract case.

  • McIntyre v. United States, 447 F.Supp.2d 54 (D. Mass. 2006)

    Obtained a $3.1 million dollar judgment after a four-week trial proving the Federal Bureau of Investigation caused the murder of John McIntyre by leaking to longtime Boston area criminals and FBI informants, James "Whitey" Bulger and Stephen "the Rifleman" Flemmi, the fact that McIntyre was cooperating with the government against Bulger and Flemmi. Both the four-week trial and the judgment received extensive publicity in the local, national and international media. The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed this $3.1 million dollar judgment on October 16, 2008.

  • No Jail Time for Client Charged With Motor Vehicle Homicide

    Client charged in Massachusetts with Motor Vehicle Homicide within days of new enacted "Melanie's Law" requiring mandatory prison sentences for certain drinking related motor vehicle offenses. Despite the new law, Bill successfully negotiated a plea agreement where the defendant received a suspended sentence and did not go to jail.

  • Not Guilty Verdict in Music Piracy Case

    Client charged under State of New Hampshire's music "bootlegging" law. After extensive pretrial motion practice, Bill obtained a directed verdict in favor of the defendant after the close of the State's evidence resulting in not guilty verdict for defendant. Clients accused of harassing neighbors under New Hampshire "Stalking" Statute. After a two day trial, stalking petition is dismissed by the court and clients' full rights and privileges are restored.

  • Not Guilty Verdict in Second Degree Assault Case

    Rockingham County Superior Court – September 2011. Obtained not guilty verdicts on behalf of client charged with second degree assault in a shaken baby case. Through the use of cutting edge scientific and forensic evidence, we successfully challenged the opinion of three physicians from a leading Boston hospital regarding the cause of injuries. Through cross examination of the State's witnesses and the presentation of an expert pathologist, the firm obtained not guilty verdicts after an eight day trial.

  • Department of Labor Case

    New Hampshire Department of Labor -- February 2012. Corporate client alleged to owe back wages and benefits well in excess of seven figures. After administrative hearing and post hearing briefing, client found to have no liability.

  • Department of Health and Human Services Case

    New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services – May 2012. After administrative hearing in which Bill exposed the bias of the State's expert witness, all findings of abuse against client are determined to me unfounded.

  • Felony Charges Dropped - Grafton County Superior Court

    December 2010, client charged with Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault, Felonious Sexual Assault, Attempted Felonious Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault in the Grafton County Superior Court. After a four-day trial, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all felony charges.

    Through aggressive pre-trial motion practice, Bill limited the State's evidence at trial by excluding expert testimony and evidence of other alleged acts by the defendant. Through cross-examination of the State's witnesses, Bill established several significant inconsistencies in the complaining witness' story. The jury returned not guilty verdicts on all felony charges.

  • Computer Fraud and Abuse Lawsuit

    Corporate client discovers that former independent contractors have downloaded electronic data and deleted data from company computers. After former independent contractors refuse to return data, Bill files suit under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and successfully negotiates the return of the data.

  • United States v. Mealey, Cr. 07-80-02-SM

    Client charged with a conspiracy to defraud the IRS by evading collection and payment of employment taxes. Client was involved with three temporary employment agencies during the years 2000-2004. The agencies treated workers as independent contractors, paid workers in cash and did not withhold employment taxes from their wages. The United States Government brought charges alleging the workers were employees of the agencies and the cash payments were part of a conspiracy to avoid the agencies' obligation to withhold and pay employment taxes. The defense at trial was: 1) the government could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the workers were employees and not independent contractors; and 2) the government could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that client did not have a good faith belief that workers were independent contractors. On Day 2 of the trial, after cross-examination of government witnesses in which the defense established the client's good faith belief that the workers were independent contractors, the United States dismissed the indictment and all charges against the client were dismissed.

  • Bradley v. United States, 545 U.S. 1101 (2005); 426 F.3d. 54 (1st Cir. 2005)

    Obtained reversal at the United States Supreme Court and First Circuit Court of Appeals of 70-month criminal sentence by establishing sentence was imposed under unconstitutional mandatory sentencing guidelines.

  • New Hampshire Superior Court

    Represented client charged under New Hampshire's Drug Enterprise Leader Statute. Despite a 25 year minimum mandatory sentence required by statute, through aggressive pretrial efforts, successfully obtained a 13 year sentence for client.

    Successfully sued contractor who performed work during renovation of hotel resulting in a six figure settlement prior to trial.

  • Client Charged With Theft in Excess of $30,000.00

    Client charged with theft in excess of $30,000.00 from the Veteran's Administration. Client receives sentence of 9 months home confinement and restitution.

  • DWI Charges Dropped - Goffstown District Court

    January 2011, client charged with DWI after being stopped outside local convenience store. State alleged serious signs of impairment. After presentation of medical defense, client is found not guilty at trial.

  • Embezzling Charges Dropped - Probation & No Incarceration

    Client, a Chief Financial Officer of a prestigious private school, is charged with embezzling over $80,000.00 and creating false entries in corporate records. After extensive negotiation with the State and presentation of mitigating facts at sentencing, client receives a sentence of Probation and no incarceration.

  • Merrimack County Superior Court – August 2013

    Not guilty verdict. Client is charged with criminal threatening. Witness alleges client pointed a loaded firearm at him from window of a pickup truck. During an aggressive cross examination of the witness, Bill exposed the witness had provided a false statement to law enforcement regarding the incident during the investigation. After a two day trial, the client was found not guilty of criminal threatening.

  • DWI Charges Dropped - Lancaster District Court

    August 2010, client charged with DWI after breathalyzer test reveals results .02 over the legal limit. Based upon a defense that the breathalyzer test was not properly implemented, client is found not guilty.

  • Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault Charges Dropped - Merrimack County Superior Court

    June 2010, client charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault in the Merrimack County Superior Court. After a three-day trial, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all charges.

    At trial, the State presented as witnesses the complaining witness and four family members and friends to corroborate her testimony. Bill's client testified in his own defense. Through cross-examination of the State's witnesses, Bill established several significant inconsistencies in the complaining witness' story. In his closing, Bill was riddled with inconsistencies. The jury returned not guilty verdicts on all charges exonerating the client of the allegations against him.

  • Suit Filed Under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

    April 2010, corporate client discovers that former indepence contractors have downloaded electronic data and deleted data from company computers. After former independent contractors refuse to return data, Bill files suit under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and successfully negotiates the return of the data.

  • Case Dismissed - Importing Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

    Obtained dismissal of indictment against individual charged with participating in scheme to import counterfeit prescription drugs into the United States.

    After a contested sentencing hearing, convinced court to impose a sentence of probation and home confinement for client convicted of a complex tax conspiracy.

    After a three year investigation, obtained a sentence of probation and home confinement for a client charged in a multi-defendant drug conspiracy.

Our Distinguishing Awards & Honors