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Bio

Steve is one of the founders of the firm having first come to New Hampshire as a law clerk to Federal Judge Hugh H. Bownes and then working as a federal prosecutor when Bill Shaheen was U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. He has an active and extensive trial practice, representing individuals and businesses in complex litigation in both state and federal courts. He has also been chosen to conduct internal investigations for various companies due to his experience as a federal prosecutor. Steve has been recognized as the "ideal" New Hampshire attorney, as voted by lawyers throughout the state for his work in complex litigation, criminal law, First Amendment litigation, and "Bet the Company Litigation”. He has been recognized for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ listings. The emphasis of his practice has been in the area of white-collar criminal defense, business litigation, and First Amendment defense.

Most recently, Steve successfully represented the New Hampshire woman who won the January 2018 Powerball Lottery worth $560 million in her lawsuit to remain anonymous. In writing about the litigation, the New York Times described Steve and Bill Shaheen as New Hampshire’s “high-powered” attorneys.

In September 2017, Steve successfully obtained a record-breaking $275 million jury verdict on behalf of three businessmen in a New Hampshire defamation lawsuit. It was the largest civil judgment in New Hampshire’s history and nationally the sixth-largest civil verdict for 2017. He earlier obtained a precedent-breaking victory against mobster Whitey Bulger and the FBI resulting in a Massachusetts Federal District Court finding the FBI legally responsible for the wrongful death of one of its top echelon confidential informants, literally at the hands of Bulger.

Over the course of his career, Steve has represented a range of individuals and businesses in the Federal District Courts of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts in federal criminal investigations. He also has a vigorous New Hampshire state court practice, representing corporations and individuals involved in corporate disputes related to breaches of fiduciary duties, contract disputes, and shareholder disputes. In addition, he counsels and represents financial institutions and brokers in regulatory matters. Steve has also represented a number of corporations in conducting internal investigations as part of the law firm's corporate governance practice. He has advised and assisted corporate boards of directors in exercising their duties and responsibilities under the Sarbanes-Oxley statute, and has lectured on the subject. He also has an active practice representing lawyers before New Hampshire's Professional Conduct Committee and was successful in challenging the process by which the New Hampshire Bar Association summarily suspends attorneys who are charged with criminal offenses.

Admissions

  • New Hampshire Bar Association

Education & Career

  • B.A. American University, Washington, D.C., 1971
  • J.D. Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C., 1974
  • Director/Shareholder Shaheen & Gordon, 1981-Present

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Legal Counsel to the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union and Panel Member
  • Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Public Defender Program
  • Member of the Local Rule Subcommittee of the Federal Court Advisory Committee
  • Member of the First Circuit Court of Appeals Advisory

Recognition & Honors

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 1991 in the areas of criminal defense and First Amendment and Bet-The-Company Litigation
  • Recognized as one of New England's Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers Magazine
  • Highest Ranking in Legal Directory Martindale-Hubbell (AV)
  • Dunfey-Kanteres award winner given in recognition of his efforts in successfully prosecuting a claim against the State Republican Party for interfering with the rights of New Hampshire voters to participate freely and fairly in public election

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.

Successfully Represented the New Hampshire winner of the January 2018 Powerball Lottery worth $560 million in her lawsuit to remain anonymous.

Record-Breaking $275 Million Defamation Verdict in September 2018

Successfully obtained a record-breaking $275 million jury verdict on behalf of three businessmen in a New Hampshire defamation lawsuit. The historic judgment involved one of the nation's largest mortgage brokers.

Successfully sued the FBI for the Death of John McIntyre

In a first-of-its-kind case successfully sued the FBI for the murder of John McIntyre. The suit brought under the Federal Torts Claim act claimed that former FBI Agent John Connolly leaked McIntyre's cooperation to gangster Whitey Bulger, resulting in McIntyre's execution. After trial, the federal district court for the District of Massachusetts awarded the McIntyre Estate $3.1 million which was affirmed on appeal by the First Circuit. McIntyre v. United States 545 F.3d. (1st. Cir 2008).

Defended All-Pro Quarterback Jim Kelly in Defamation Action

Successfully defended at trial All-Pro Quarterback Jim Kelly in a defamation action brought by his former agent. After a two-week trial the jury returned a defense verdict. The jury’s defense verdict was upheld on appeal by the First Circuit. Faigin v. Kelly, 184 F. 3d 67 (1st Cir 1999).

Defended Civil Action author Jonathan Harr in Defamation Action

Successfully defended author Jonathan Harr in action brought by John Riley. The federal district court dismissed most of the charges on summary judgment. The court’s ruling was upheld on appeal and the entire case was dismissed. Riley v. Harr, 292 F.3d 282 (1st Cir. 2002).

Not Guilty Verdict - Vehicular Homicide Case Involving Truck Driver

Successfully defended a truck driver on four counts of vehicular homicide with jury acquittals on all counts following trial. The state claimed that the driver of the truck was criminally responsible for driving at an excessive speed on a well-marked construction site, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The jury disagreed and returned not guilty verdicts on all counts.

Acquittal after trial for Real-Estate Developer on Bank Fraud Charges

Successfully defended a real-estate developer on Bank Fraud charges in the Federal District Court for Massachusetts, with the jury returning not guilty verdicts on all 284 counts of the indictment.

Acquittal After Trial - Assault Against a Police Officer.

Successfully defended Dartmouth College student charged with assault on a police officer. Acquittal after trial.

Defended NH Attorney in Malpractice Claim

Successfully defended NH attorney in malpractice claim with the court granting motion for summary judgment.

No Criminal Charges - Defended Large NH Business in Federal Criminal Investigation

Successfully defended a large NH business in a federal criminal investigation involving a computer and business fraud; after an extensive investigation, no criminal charges were filed.

Defended Individual Importer of Pharmaceuticals in Federal Case

Successfully defended individual importer of pharmaceuticals indicted in the federal district court for the District of New Hampshire for trafficking and importing counterfeit goods. After Shaheen & Gordon's retention, all charges against the individual were dismissed.

Defended Provider of Domain Name Registration

Successfully defended one of the nation's largest providers of domain name registration services in a suit alleging violations of the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act and the Lanham Act, with federal district court granting summary judgment.

No Criminal Charges Against Broker

Successfully defended broker in internal revenue service investigation. After extensive investigation, no criminal charges were brought and a civil settlement was reached.

No Charges Filed in Federal Investigation

Successfully defended a real estate developer in a federal criminal investigation alleging violations of federal banking laws. After the investigation, no charges were filed.

No Charges Filed Against CEO of Publicly Traded Company

Successfully defended the CEO of a publicly-traded company in a criminal investigation, alleging violations of state securities laws; after an extensive investigation, no criminal charges were filed.

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