Leah Cole Durst

Leah Cole Durst represents clients facing a range of legal challenges, which are often unexpected and can have a severe impact on an individual’s or family’s future. Leah specializes in criminal defense while also assisting clients in areas of civil rights, employment law, and other matters.

Leah gained significant experience in criminal defense through positions at the Federal Defender Office in Boston, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and a private Boston firm. She is skilled at completing detailed research and developing legal documents, including complaint narratives, motions to dismiss, and petitions for habeas corpus, to further a client’s case.

Before joining Shaheen & Gordon, Leah worked as a staff attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services. She participated in their COVID Eviction Legal Help Program (CELHP) to provide legal information, assistance, and representation to low-income tenants affected by COVID-19. She is passionate about using her knowledge to help people through difficult times and volunteered additional legal services during the pandemic.

Leah graduated from the Northeastern University School of Law with a criminal justice concentration. She served as chair of the school’s chapter of If/When/How—Lawyering for Reproductive Justice and also participated in the Women’s Law Caucus.