Ron Abramson is Chair of Shaheen & Gordon’s Immigration Law Group. Ronald Abramson encabeza el Grupo de Inmigracion en el despacho de Shaheen y Gordon.
Ron began his career with the New Hampshire Public Defender in 1993 before establishing himself as one of the State's preeminent immigration lawyers. In a career spanning over three decades, Ron has handled a multitude of immigration, criminal defense, civil litigation, and international legal matters. He has received numerous awards, been recognized as a top immigration attorney, served as an international trade consultant, and has taught law courses, both in the United States and abroad.
As a native of Chile and a naturalized United States citizen himself, immigration is close to Ron’s heart. He has successfully obtained all manner of business and family-based visas; has successfully brought cutting-edge post-conviction relief cases in state and federal courts; has taught at local, regional, and national training programs; and has litigated several appeals before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Circuit Courts.
Ron's work involves helping clients with investigations undertaken by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS], U.S. Customs & Border Enforcement [ICE], the U.S. and New Hampshire Departments of Labor [DOL], Social Security Administration, State Department [DOS], and other federal and state agencies.
On top of his immigration work, Ron maintains an active criminal defense practice, with particular emphasis on the intersection between state and federal criminal matters and immigration law. Ron is a member of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire’s Criminal Justice Act panel, through which he takes on complex, multi-party court-appointed federal criminal cases. As a result of his federal experience, Ron regularly handles federal mandamus and habeas corpus matters, challenging processing delays and unlawful detention, both as lead and local counsel. Ron often assists international students who find themselves facing legal trouble in the United States.
Ron is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, where he serves as a chapter liaison to the New Hampshire U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services field office. Given his keen personal and professional understanding of the challenges and hardships resulting from an outdated legal framework, Ron regularly advocates for meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform.
When the media have questions about high-profile immigration cases, they often call Ron. Ron has appeared countless times on television, radio, and throughout local, national, and international print media.
Ron is one of the state’s few native Spanish-speaking attorneys—and is conversant in (slow) French— helping put many of his clients at ease by avoiding the need for interpreters, which allows for a closer personal attorney-client connection.
In his (admittedly limited) free time, Ron is an avid soccer fan (and former mediocre player). He enjoys birding, reading, hiking, fitness, live theater, and listening to music. Ron has a deep interest in electoral politics and has hosted events for candidates from the town Select Board to the President of the United States.
The creativity and “outside-the-box” approach that Ron brings to his legal practice is often reflected in his sartorial choices, resulting in his unofficial designation as the area's "Best-Dressed Male Lawyer".
Admissions
- New Hampshire State Bar
- U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire (member CJA Panel)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Career
- Director/Shareholder and Chair, Immigration Practice, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., 2019-Present
- Founder/Managing Attorney, abramson IMMIGRATION+ SOLUTIONS, 2009-2019
- Of Counsel, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A., 2006-2009
- State of New Hampshire's Commercial Consul to Chile, 2005-2010
- International Practice Director, Albagli Zaliasnik, Santiago, Chile, 2005-2006
- Visiting Law Professor [Fulbright U.S. Scholar], Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile, 2004-2005
- Adjunct Professor, Franklin Pierce Law Center [now UNH Law], 2000-2004
- Managing Partner, Abramson, Bailinson & O’Leary, 1998-2004
- Staff Attorney, New Hampshire Public Defender, 1993-1998
Professional Associations
- New Hampshire Bar Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association – New Hampshire Liaison
- First Circuit Immigration Appellate Working Group Member
- National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers' Guild
- New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- U.S.-Chile Chamber of Commerce
Community Involvement
- NH Public Television, Board of Governors Secretary (Emeritus)
- Vote Now New Hampshire Hispanics, Founding Board Member (Emeritus)
- Vision Hispana (Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), Board Member (Emeritus)
- Latin American Center, Former Board Member (Emeritus)
- Youth Soccer Coach
Awards & Honors
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2024 for work in Immigration Law
- Named to Super Lawyers for 2024
- Fulbright U.S. Scholar by the William J. Fulbright Commission, Diego Portales School of Law in Santiago, Chile
- Manchester Union Leader's "40 Under Forty" list of accomplished young leaders, 2004
- Named New Hampshire's Best Immigration Lawyer by Business NH Magazine [as selected by legal peers], 2012-2013
Education
- J.D., George Washington University, 1993
- B.A., Emory University, 1990
Publications & Presentations
- Author, “Revisionist Mystery: Reflections on Post-Conviction Relief and Immigration Law”, publication in New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Quarterly
- Co-Author [with Atty. Tayla George], “Immigration and Employment for the Non-Immigration Lawyer”, NH Bar News, April 17, 2024
- Regular presenter at New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers [NHACDL] semi-annual trainings
- Co-Author [with Atty. James Armillay], “Recruitment and retention is an ongoing battle”, New Hampshire Business Review, November 2, 2023
- Author, "Federal Practice and Bankruptcy: ¡CUIDADO! Immigration Issues for Non-Immigration Lawyers in NH", New Hampshire Bar News, 2013
- Co-Author, “Getting from There to Here: A Business Immigration Primer”, NH Bar Journal, 2008
- Regular guest, New Hampshire Public Radio's "The Exchange with Laura Knoy"
- Frequent media contributor and public speaker
- Regular presenter at international student orientation at area colleges and universities
Representative Cases
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and case results referred to in this website are not intended to be, nor should they be understood as, a representation that equivalent results will be achieved in any given case.
- Vacated 35-year-old felony conviction via novel legal argument, allowing client to become a Lawful Permanent Resident
- Obtained U.S. citizenship for client who had been through removal/deportation proceedings and who had had two prior naturalization applications denied
- Navigated complex interplay of immigration law and trade treaties to allow New Hampshire-based startup to employ renowned PhD scientist
- Co-counsel in pro bono federal habeas corpus action seeking release of immigration detainees who were at high risk for complications from COVID-19 [only class counsel who obtained release from custody of all individual clients handled]
- Co-counsel on multiple actions involving non-citizens unlawfully detained by local police, all recently settled with financial compensation and updated policies regarding contact by local police
- Obtained rare S Visa (fewer than 100 granted nationally per year)
- Successfully vacated jury verdicts and terminated removal proceedings for client convicted of Sale of Controlled Drugs to a police informant, allowing client to remain in the United States with their spouse and young children
- Vacated felony pleas and convictions and subsequently terminated removal proceedings for multiple clients who were not properly advised of immigration consequences of their criminal convictions in Superior Court
- Obtained O Visa for former top-ranked international athlete
- Co-counsel in pro bono federal mandamus litigation involving expedited naturalization of active-duty non-citizen military service members
- Obtained asylum protection for gay client who was beaten by the police and their own family in their native country on account of their sexual orientation
