Donald J. "Don" Pfundstein

Donald J. "Don" Pfundstein

Concord, NH recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2005
Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell PC

11 Best Lawyers awards

Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell PC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Insurance Law Administrative / Regulatory Law Banking and Finance Law Energy Law Financial Services Regulation Law Government Relations Practice Tax Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Concord.

Biography

Donald Pfundstein is the former legal counsel to the New Hampshire State Senate. He continues to be listed in Woodward/White Inc.’s The Best Lawyers in America®, and was named by Best Lawyers as Concord's 2013 "Lawyer of the Year" in Government Relations. He has practiced law for more than 30 years. Previously, Don served as the firm's president and managing director.

Don’s practice focuses on the regulated industries. He regularly appears before various executive agencies including the Insurance Department and Public Utilities Commission. He also has extensive experience representing clients before the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Committee and the New Hampshire Legislature.

Don regularly advises insurers, financial institutions and other businesses on insurance law issues. Representative insurance engagements include:

  • Redomestication of foreign insurer to New Hampshire
  • Sale of three domestic companies to Bermuda-based reinsurance organization
  • Sale of publicly traded insurance holding company and its domestic insurer
  • International assumption reinsurance transaction with impaired insurer
  • De novo insurer formation, capitalization and national licensing
  • Market conduct and financial examinations, unfair insurance practice representation and comprehensive legislative and regulatory guidance.

    He has extensive experience representing national and international companies planning, siting, permitting and constructing large energy generation and transmission infrastructure projects. Representative energy engagements include serving as:

    • Special permitting counsel to the capital that financed the development of a biomass generation facility
    • Special counsel to the developer of a large scale electric transmission facility for renewable power
    • Lead New Hampshire counsel which sited, permitted and constructed an international natural gas pipeline system traversing more than 100 miles in New Hampshire
    • Lead New Hampshire counsel which sited, permitted and constructed a 525MW combined cycle electric power plant and related transmission line
    • Lead New Hampshire counsel which sited, permitted and constructed an interstate natural gas compressor station
    • Lead New Hampshire counsel for sale of portfolio of merchant power facilities

      Don has coached girls' softball for 20 years. He is the New Hampshire assistant commissioner of Babe Ruth Softball, and coaches softball at his local high school.

      Don graduated magna cum laude from St. Michael’s College with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He studied political thought at McGill University. He graduated from Albany Law School of Union University.

Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell PC

11 Best Lawyers awards

Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell PC logo

Overview

  • Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., graduated 1981

  • New Hampshire, United States
  • New Hampshire, United States
  • Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., graduated 1981

Client Testimonials

Mr. Pfundstein is a strategic thinker who can quickly assess a difficult situation and respond quickly with a proposed solution. He gets right to the point which enables us to keep our legal expenses in check while receiving superior service.

John Leonard (Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company)

Portland, ME

Donald is a true expert and accomplished professional. He and his firm are always at the forefront of understanding the newest dynamics and approach all issues with elegant common sense.

Chris Henchey (MVP Health Care)

Schenectady, NY

Donald Pfundstein is great to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable about insurance matters, and effectively advocates for his clients before the NH DOI given his knowledge, skill, and relationships he has built. Throughout some difficult negotiations, I was always impressed with Donald's response time and follow-through. I will not hesitate to ask for Donald's assistance in the future.

Kristy Mullen (Progressive)

Mayfield Village, OH

Mr. Donald Pfundstein is a professional who studies the needs of his clients, provides a number of appropriate solutions, and provides expert opinion on decisions reached by his clients. He is client sensitive and always available and responsive to our needs.

John Leonard (Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company)

Portland, ME

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Government Relations Practice
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Insurance Law, Concord (2026)
  • Government Relations Practice, Concord (2024)
  • Government Relations Practice, Concord (2022)
  • Insurance Law, Concord (2020)
  • Government Relations Practice, Concord (2018)
  • Insurance Law, Concord (2017)
  • Government Relations Practice, Concord (2016)
  • Government Relations Practice, Concord (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Energy Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Insurance Law
  • Tax Law
Special Focus:
  • Casualty
  • Commercial
  • COVID-19
  • Government Relations
  • Health-Care Coverage
  • Regulatory
  • Transactions

Additional Information

  • Practice Areas

Energy / Utilities

Environmental Law

Financial Services / Banking Law

Government Relations / Lobbying

Insurance Law

Taxation

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