Thomas K. Christo

Thomas K. Christo (February 12, 1948 – February 9, 2008) was an American lawyer and Republican political operative from Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.^[1][2][3]

Christo was born in 1948 in Southbridge, Massachusetts to Dorothy (Lapery) Christo and Christi Christo. He received a BS in Philosophy and a BA in Government from Suffolk University in 1970. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor in Law from Boston University Law School in 1972. He pursued a career in law and became a prominent figure in the legal community.

Christo served as an Assistant District Attorney in Boston and was known as a civil trial lawyer. He is often credited with founding the area of computer law, with his most famous case, IBM Corp. v. Catamore Enterprises, Inc.,^[4] establishing the legal distinction between hardware and software. Christo also served as the COO of Mohawk Data Sciences and was a member of the Bar in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, admitted to numerous US District and Circuit Courts, and the US Supreme Court. He was a frequent legal commentator for publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and the BBC.

Christo was active in Republican politics, running for the United States Senate in the 1990 United States Senate election in New Hampshire.^[5] He served as the finance chairman for the New Hampshire Republican Party and was a member of President George H. Bush's Economic Advisory Council. Additionally, he served as the New Hampshire state finance chairman for Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign.

Christo was married to Ellen V. Christo for 11 years. He was a member of St. George's Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston.^[3]

Thomas K. Christo died on February 9, 2008, at Massachusetts General Hospital as a result of a brain aneurysm. His funeral service was held at Stratham Community Church in Stratham, New Hampshire.^[3]

Christo is remembered as a talented lawyer and dedicated family man. His legal and political careers left a significant impact on the communities he served.