Christine Landis (previously Gertsch), is a partner with the Law Offices of Mark Sherman, and has been with the Firm since 2014. Since then, she has focused on criminal defense, and regularly appears in Connecticut’s state and federal criminal courts. She represents clients in felony and misdemeanor cases, and is experienced with all aspects of Connecticut criminal procedure and the court process from investigation or arrest through disposition.
While Christine handles all criminal charges, she co-chairs the Firm’s Domestic Violence and Sex Assault Crimes Practice Groups. Since 2014, Christine’s advocacy has led to the dismissal of over 100 felony and misdemeanor cases. Christine is also an experienced trial attorney, having tried both jury and bench trials to verdict.
In addition, Christine represents the Firm’s clients in Department of Children Families (“DCF”) investigations. She is also experienced in Connecticut juvenile courts, and has successfully helped both minors facing juvenile charges and their families.
Christine practices frequently in Connecticut Federal Court, where she has represented clients charged with federal crimes, clients being investigated or who have received United States Attorney target letters, and clients who are cooperating with the United States government in investigations.
Christine is also experienced in representing clients in front of state agencies. She has represented clients in investigations and hearings in front of Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood, Department of Public Health, and Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Some of Christine’s recent work includes:
- In 2018, Christine obtained a dismissal of her client’s cyber-harassment charge, after successfully arguing that her client’s arrest violated his First Amendment right to free speech.
- In 2018, Christine successfully achieved a Superior Court dismissal order for a client facing felony gun charges, which would have exposed her client to mandatory jail time if convicted.
- In 2017, Christine successfully defended a client facing a felony gun charge during a jury trial, which resulted in an acquittal.
- In 2016, Christine served as co-counsel during a breach of contract trial where the jury returned verdicts in our client’s favor on all counts.
- Also in 2016, Christine served as co-counsel in a negligent homicide with a motor vehicle trial, which resulted in a hung jury. The charge was ultimately dismissed.
- In 2015, Christine served as co-counsel in a civil trial where the jury returned a $1.3 million verdict in our client’s favor.
In addition to her practice, Christine currently serves as a co-chair of the Fairfield County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Committee. She is on the Board of Directors for both the Fairfield County Bar Association and Fairfield County Bar Foundation. She is a past co-chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Section Criminal Justice Committee. Christine has also served as a mock trial coach at Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Christine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Quinnipiac University in 2010, Christine earned her Juris Doctor - magna cum laude - with an honors concentration in Criminal Law and Advocacy and an honors concentration in Civil Advocacy and Dispute Resolution from Quinnipiac University School of Law. While at Quinnipiac Law, Christine served as the Vice President of the Student Bar Association, Executive Vice President for the Mock Trial Honor Society and was a competition team member of the Society for Dispute Resolution. She was also part of the Northeast Regional championship team at the 2013 National Trial Competition.