Effingham Lawyers

As a partner at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., Brian focuses his practice on government investigations, white collar defense, civil litigation, and regulatory matters for individuals and corporations. His experience includes numerous high-profile trials and investigations, including first-degree murder trials, defense of multi-national corporations in securities and healthcare investigations, and other serious criminal and civil matters. Brian has successfully briefed and argued numerous cases before the New Hampshire Supreme Court and has taught Advanced Appellate Advocacy as an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire Law School, formerly known as Franklin Pierce Law Center. Previously, Brian served as a senior assistant attorney...

I come to the practice of law later in life. Shortly before I attended Law School, I came to realize that some people who a very close family member trusted were not acting in his best interest. In protecting him, I got to work with some first-rate attorneys in both New Hampshire and Florida. As I learned more and more about the situation, I realized that a good and forthright Estate Attorney could have protected him, and at the same time, made sure things worked exactly as he wanted. As we talked, it was decided that I would become an...

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and am a member of the Massachusetts Bar. Additionally, I am admitted to practice in the United States District Court in Massachusetts and in New Hampshire.

Susanne was born in Barre, Vermont, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Vermont in 1987. She received her Juris doctorate in 1992 from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she was the recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award and The Little, Brown & Company Award in Trusts and Estates. Susanne was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1992 and the New Hampshire Bar in 1994. She began her law career working for a Big Six accounting firm before transitioning to private practice. She was a partner in another Laconia law...

Attorney Starbranch began his legal career in New Hampshire in 1989 as a Strafford County Superior Court Prosecutor. From 1989 to 1997, he taught the cutting-edge techniques associated with criminal cases to law enforcement and other prosecutors. Since 1997, attorney Starbranch has been in private practice, focusing on the defense of citizens charged with committing crimes throughout New Hampshire in District, Superior and Federal Courts.
Areas of Practice:
Criminal Defense
DUI/DWI
Drug Crimes
Sex Offenses
Assault Charges

Past Employment Positions
Deputy Strafford County Attorney;...

Megan has a unique background as she was a public educator prior to becoming a lawyer. Megan’s experience as a teacher has shaped her approach to legal representation. She considers the “whole client” in assessing legal needs, and she investigates cases exhaustively, with empathy and compassion. Megan also takes the time to explain complex legal information in a way her clients can understand. In the area of employment law, Megan focuses her practice on representing employees. Megan is committed to representing employees in all aspects of employment litigation such as Sexual Harassment; Discrimination;...

Mark was raised in Hopkinton, New Hampshire and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2002. In addition to playing on the squash and tennis teams, in his final year Mark completed a residency at University College, Oxford University where he concentrated his studies on modern British politics. Mark's strong interest in environmental and land use law led him to Vermont Law School, where he received his J.D. in 2008. During law school, Mark was the recipient of the academic excellence award in Legal Profession. Mark's legal training has included clerkships...

Olivia Bensinger is a skilled litigation attorney working across practice groups at Shaheen & Gordon. She assists clients with issues related to civil rights, employment, and general commercial litigation. She is proficient in Spanish. Olivia’s dedication to protecting people’s rights and her detail-oriented approach to casework helps clients feel confident that they are in good hands. Previously, Olivia had a prestigious clerkship with the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, where she managed approximately 50 civil dockets. Olivia gained private practice experience with a top international law firm based out of New York City. While there, she was involved in all...

Samantha is a member of Shaheen & Gordon's personal injury team and YDC Victim Compensation Group. Prior to joining S&G, Heuring’s work was crucial in attaining the first maximum settlement of $1.5 million through the fund. Heuring also obtained a $1.48 million settlement and a second $1.5 million settlement through the fund. In joining Shaheen & Gordon’s YDC Victim Compensation Group, Heuring remains committed to helping victims of YDC abuse obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. Heuring is a passionate advocate for all types of injury victims. In addition to general personal injury, Heuring also focuses her practice on employment...

Sarah Landres is a member of Shaheen & Gordon’s criminal defense practice group, with over 15 years of experience as a trial lawyer. Sarah represents people of all ages who have been accused of misdemeanor, felony, and driving offenses, including homicide, physical and sexual assault, theft, drug-related crimes, and DUI/DWI. Sarah recognizes the impact criminal charges can have on someone’s life. A tenacious advocate for her clients both in and out of the courtroom, Sarah provides thoughtful counsel to clients and works closely with them to mitigate risk. Sarah previously spent twelve years as a trial attorney with the New Hampshire Public...

Kirsten Allen is a member of Shaheen & Gordon’s business law group. She works with business clients on a range of matters, focusing on understanding their challenges and providing thoughtful advice, solutions, and litigation services when needed. Kirsten also has experience in healthcare law, civil litigation, personal injury, and insurance matters. Her broad range of knowledge allows her to provide a unique perspective for clients. Prior to joining Shaheen & Gordon, Kirsten gained litigation experience at another New Hampshire law firm and served as a research associate at the University of New Hampshire Institute for Health Policy and Practice.

Allison joined the Wescott office in May 2011, building her practice and becoming Director and Managing Partner in February of 2016. A cum laude graduate of the University Of New Hampshire School Of Law (formerly Franklin Pierce Law Center) and a Daniel Webster Scholar, Allison previously earned her BS in Business Management from the University of New Hampshire in 2005. Allison is admitted to practice in the Courts of the State of New Hampshire and the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. A graduate of the Leadership Lakes Region program, Allison is active in the community, serving...

Christopher E. Ratte is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Hampshire and Maine with over ten years of legal experience. Mr. Ratte is a sole legal practitioner and a principal owner of Beacon Title & Escrow Services, LLC. His legal practice concentrates on commercial and residential real estate matters, small business start-up and counseling, and civil litigation in state and federal court. Beacon Title is a licensed title insurance agency providing real estate closing services for banks and other mortgage lenders. Mr. Ratte's key to success is his personalized client service and creative problem solving approach to the...

Anthony is a member of Shaheen & Gordon's personal injury team. He concentrates his practice on representing individuals who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of the neglect of others. Anthony is involved in complex personal injury litigation in a broad array of case types, including sexual assault, municipal liability, Section 1983 litigation, product liability, nursing home abuse, crashworthiness liability, and toxic torts such as asbestos. His practice also spans an array of geographic regions as he is licensed in five states, including Hawaii, and three federal courts. Anthony is also co-chair of Shaheen & Gordon's YDC Victim...

I am a partner here at the firm and being a former police officer, I am highly skilled in the area's of criminal defense, and DWI defense. As a police officer I had specialized training in accident reconstruction which gives me a great advantage in representing those injured in automobile accidents. I am an avid fisherman, motorcycle rider, road biking cyclist, scuba diver and outdoorsman.

Whatever your legal needs, you will always receive fair, honest and thoughtful representation from a committed member of the Hopkinton and Contoocook community. Whether you are starting or growing a business, facing the challenges of a divorce or are in need of an experienced litigator, please stop in and see me. My door is always open. For Individuals: family law and divorce,criminal defense,personal injury ,wills, power of attorney and estate planning,auto accident,workers' compensation,Jones Act litigation,small claims and landlord-tenant disputes For Businesses: entity selection,formation and governance,commercial litigation,civil litigation,contract...

Todd Stevens represents individuals and families throughout Strafford and the surrounding New Hampshire counties. His primary areas of practice are divorce, child custody, estate planning, family law, civil litigation and personal injury.

Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation have been a significant part of my practice for the past 30+ years, and for the past fifteen years I have virtually limited my practice to these two areas.