Attorney Christie Leary has been named a Super Lawyer since 2015 having been previously recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star since 2007. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
Northern Virginia Magazine publishes a Top Lawyers edition each year based upon peer review ratings. Attorney Christie Leary has been named a Top Lawyer since 2014.
Attorney Christie Leary has earned a perfect 10.0 “superb” rating from Avvo.com. The leading attorney website, which provides ratings for 97 percent of all attorneys in the United States, uses a mathematical model to calculate rating based on, among other factors, public data (state bar associations, regulatory agencies, and court records), published sources on the internet, and reviews submitted by other attorneys.
It is noteworthy that Leary Law's efforts on behalf of their clients have earned commendation from both their clients and their peers in the legal community – a fact which is exemplified by their receipt of a Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating for legal ability and professional ethics. This rating is indeed an achievement as it is "…the highest rating available for legal ability and professional ethics…" from Martindale-Hubbell.
Attorney Christie Leary earned the commendation of her peers. The Justia Lawyer Rating and Reviews system is intended to give consumers and attorneys a useful metric by which to evaluate and compare lawyers before deciding to hire or associate with them. The Justia Lawyer Rating and Reviews provide valuable insight from peers and colleagues personally familiar with attorney Christie Leary's work.
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Attorney Christie Leary earned this recognition based upon the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about her professional abilities.
Christie A. Leary
Providing excellent representation to her clients is the hallmark of Christie Leary’s career. For nearly 20 years, Christie Leary, a native of Northern Virginia, has litigated cases heard in the state courts of every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Along with her former partners Peter Greenspun and Jonathan Shapiro at Greenspun Shapiro, PC (formerly Greenspun, Shapiro, Davis & Leary, P.C.), Christie was a member of the criminal defense team appointed to represent John Allen Muhammad, the “Beltway Sniper.” Christie’s practice focuses on criminal and traffic law, personal injury, juvenile law and civil litigation. Christie has tried bench and jury trials in criminal and civil matters ranging from traffic offenses to serious criminal offenses and cases involving complex personal injury issues and medical malpractice.
Christie graduated with a degree in History and Government from the College of William and Mary. In college, she was a member of William and Mary’s NCAA Division I Field Hockey team and member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Christie received her law degree from George Mason University School of Law (GMUSL) where she subsequently served as an adjunct professor for GMUSL’s legal writing program. During law school, Christie served on the Board of Editors for the Journal of International Law and published an article regarding a study of extradition policies amongst various countries.
An active member of the Fairfax Bar Association (FBA), Ms. Leary is a Former President of the FBA, Former President of the Fairfax Law Foundation, (FLF) and a Past President of the FBA Young Lawyers Section. For her efforts with the bar, Ms. Leary received the 2010 and 2011 FBA President’s Award and 2012 FLF Golden Gavel as a Emerging Young Leader award. Ms. Leary previously served as Chair of the Virginia State Bar’s 5th District Disciplinary Committee. Currently, Ms. Leary serves on the Bar Council for the Virginia State Bar as a representative from the 19th Judicial Circuit.
In 2019, Ms. Leary was named a Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. In addition, Virginia Business recognized her as a member of the Legal Elite. Named by Super Lawyers as Top 50 Virginia Woman Attorney since 2016, Christie has also been selected as a Super Lawyer in Virginia and the District of Columbia since 2015 and a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2007 to 2015. In 2020, Ms. Leary was named as a Best Lawyer by U.S. News and World Report.
Christie wants to help her clients to successfully navigate a path through their most difficult circumstances and challenges. Christie believes in the value of hard work, a commitment to integrity and ethics, and a willingness to always go the extra mile for an individual in need.
- Virginia, 2001
- District of Columbia, 2006
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, 2003
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2001
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2002
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2002
George Mason University School of Law – Arlington, Virginia
- Juris Doctor – 2000
- Dean’s Scholar
- Fellow – Legal Research and Writing
- Production Editor – Board of Editors – Journal of International Legal Studies
- Author, Note, The Political Offense Exception, the Irish Republican Army, and the Supplementary Treaty – Opening Pandora’s Box: In Re Requested Extradition of Artt, Brennan, and Kirby, 5 J. Int’l Legal Studies, 1999-2000.
College of William & Mary – Williamsburg, Virginia
- Bachelor of Arts – 1997
- Major: History/Government
- Pi Beta Phi Sorority
- Member, NCAA Division I Women’s Field Hockey Team
Classes/Seminars
- Adjunct Professor, Legal Research, Writing and Analysis, George Mason University School of Law, 2008 – 2009
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV© Preeminent Peer Review Rating
- Leader in the Law named by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2020)
- Top Woman Leader in the Law named by The American Lawyer Magazine (2020)
- Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine (2019 – Present)
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News and World Report (2020-Present)
- Super Lawyers
-
- Virginia (2015 to Present)
- District of Columbia (2015 to Present)
- Top 50 Women Attorneys, Virginia (2016-Present)
- Rising Star
- Virginia (2007-2015)
- District of Columbia (2007-2015)
-
- AVVO, Superb Rating – Perfect 10.0
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia – Rule 6.1 Club for Pro Bono Legal Service (2018)
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (2016-Present)
- Fairfax Law Foundation Golden Gavel Award – Young Emerging Leader (2012)
- Northern Virginia Magazine Top Criminal and Personal Injury Attorneys (2012 to Present)
- Fairfax Bar Association – President’s Award (2010)
- Fairfax Bar Association – President’s Award (2011)
- Richmond Magazine – Top Young Attorneys (2012)
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 40 under 40 (2012-2015)
- Fairfax Bar Association
- Board of Directors (2008-2010) (2011 – 2020)
- President (2018 – 2019)
- Young Lawyer’s Section, Board of Directors
- Board of Directors (2003-2004; 2006-2010)
- President (2008-2009)
- Board of Directors (2008-2010) (2011 – 2020)
- Fairfax Law Foundation
- Board of Directors (2010-2019)
- President (2016 – 2017)
- Heroes v. Villains Run for Justice 5k
- Race Director/Committee Chair(2010-2013)
- Member, Race Committee (2013-Present)
- Board of Directors (2010-2019)
- Virginia State Bar
-
- Bar Council (2020 – Present)
- 5th District Disciplinary Committee (2011 – 2017)
- Chair (2014-2015)
-
- George Mason University American Inns of Court (2005 – 2011)
- American Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Virginia Women Attorney’s Association – Northern Virginia Chapter
-
- Board of Directors, Director at Large (2020 – Present)
-
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Publications Committee (2007 – 2008)
- Amicus Curiae Committee (2007 – 2008)
- Young Trial Lawyers Committee (2005 – 2008)
- Color of Justice Program
- Planning Committee (2008; 2009)
- George Mason University School of Law
- Small Firm Advisory Board of Directors
- American Bar Association Attorney/Mentor Shadowing Program
- Judge, Moot Court Board Second and First Year Mock Trial Competitions
- National Youth Leadership Forum on Law
- Legal Career Seminar Host (2008 – 2016)
Providing excellent representation to her clients is the hallmark of Christie Leary’s career. For nearly 20 years, Christie Leary, a native of Northern Virginia, has litigated cases heard in the state courts of every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Along with her former partners Peter Greenspun and Jonathan Shapiro at Greenspun Shapiro, PC (formerly Greenspun, Shapiro, Davis & Leary, P.C.), Christie was a member of the criminal defense team appointed to represent John Allen Muhammad, the “Beltway Sniper.” Christie’s practice focuses on criminal and traffic law, personal injury, juvenile law and civil litigation. Christie has tried bench and jury trials in criminal and civil matters ranging from traffic offenses to serious criminal offenses and cases involving complex personal injury issues and medical malpractice.
Christie graduated with a degree in History and Government from the College of William and Mary. In college, she was a member of William and Mary’s NCAA Division I Field Hockey team and member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Christie received her law degree from George Mason University School of Law (GMUSL) where she subsequently served as an adjunct professor for GMUSL’s legal writing program. During law school, Christie served on the Board of Editors for the Journal of International Law and published an article regarding a study of extradition policies amongst various countries.
An active member of the Fairfax Bar Association (FBA), Ms. Leary is a Former President of the FBA, Former President of the Fairfax Law Foundation, (FLF) and a Past President of the FBA Young Lawyers Section. For her efforts with the bar, Ms. Leary received the 2010 and 2011 FBA President’s Award and 2012 FLF Golden Gavel as a Emerging Young Leader award. Ms. Leary previously served as Chair of the Virginia State Bar’s 5th District Disciplinary Committee. Currently, Ms. Leary serves on the Bar Council for the Virginia State Bar as a representative from the 19th Judicial Circuit.
In 2019, Ms. Leary was named a Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. In addition, Virginia Business recognized her as a member of the Legal Elite. Named by Super Lawyers as Top 50 Virginia Woman Attorney since 2016, Christie has also been selected as a Super Lawyer in Virginia and the District of Columbia since 2015 and a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2007 to 2015. In 2020, Ms. Leary was named as a Best Lawyer by U.S. News and World Report.
Christie wants to help her clients to successfully navigate a path through their most difficult circumstances and challenges. Christie believes in the value of hard work, a commitment to integrity and ethics, and a willingness to always go the extra mile for an individual in need.
- Virginia, 2001
- District of Columbia, 2006
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, 2003
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2001
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2002
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2002
George Mason University School of Law – Arlington, Virginia
- Juris Doctor – 2000
- Dean’s Scholar
- Fellow – Legal Research and Writing
- Production Editor – Board of Editors – Journal of International Legal Studies
- Author, Note, The Political Offense Exception, the Irish Republican Army, and the Supplementary Treaty – Opening Pandora’s Box: In Re Requested Extradition of Artt, Brennan, and Kirby, 5 J. Int’l Legal Studies, 1999-2000.
College of William & Mary – Williamsburg, Virginia
- Bachelor of Arts – 1997
- Major: History/Government
- Pi Beta Phi Sorority
- Member, NCAA Division I Women’s Field Hockey Team
Classes/Seminars
- Adjunct Professor, Legal Research, Writing and Analysis, George Mason University School of Law, 2008 – 2009
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV© Preeminent Peer Review Rating
- Leader in the Law named by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2020)
- Top Woman Leader in the Law named by The American Lawyer Magazine (2020)
- Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine (2019 – Present)
- Best Lawyers, U.S. News and World Report (2020-Present)
- Super Lawyers
-
- Virginia (2015 to Present)
- District of Columbia (2015 to Present)
- Top 50 Women Attorneys, Virginia (2016-Present)
- Rising Star
- Virginia (2007-2015)
- District of Columbia (2007-2015)
-
- AVVO, Superb Rating – Perfect 10.0
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia – Rule 6.1 Club for Pro Bono Legal Service (2018)
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (2016-Present)
- Fairfax Law Foundation Golden Gavel Award – Young Emerging Leader (2012)
- Northern Virginia Magazine Top Criminal and Personal Injury Attorneys (2012 to Present)
- Fairfax Bar Association – President’s Award (2010)
- Fairfax Bar Association – President’s Award (2011)
- Richmond Magazine – Top Young Attorneys (2012)
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 40 under 40 (2012-2015)
- Fairfax Bar Association
- Board of Directors (2008-2010) (2011 – 2020)
- President (2018 – 2019)
- Young Lawyer’s Section, Board of Directors
- Board of Directors (2003-2004; 2006-2010)
- President (2008-2009)
- Board of Directors (2008-2010) (2011 – 2020)
- Fairfax Law Foundation
- Board of Directors (2010-2019)
- President (2016 – 2017)
- Heroes v. Villains Run for Justice 5k
- Race Director/Committee Chair(2010-2013)
- Member, Race Committee (2013-Present)
- Board of Directors (2010-2019)
- Virginia State Bar
-
- Bar Council (2020 – Present)
- 5th District Disciplinary Committee (2011 – 2017)
- Chair (2014-2015)
-
- George Mason University American Inns of Court (2005 – 2011)
- American Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Virginia Women Attorney’s Association – Northern Virginia Chapter
-
- Board of Directors, Director at Large (2020 – Present)
-
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Publications Committee (2007 – 2008)
- Amicus Curiae Committee (2007 – 2008)
- Young Trial Lawyers Committee (2005 – 2008)
- Color of Justice Program
- Planning Committee (2008; 2009)
- George Mason University School of Law
- Small Firm Advisory Board of Directors
- American Bar Association Attorney/Mentor Shadowing Program
- Judge, Moot Court Board Second and First Year Mock Trial Competitions
- National Youth Leadership Forum on Law
- Legal Career Seminar Host (2008 – 2016)