Nathan Crane
Overview
Nathan Crane is a distinguished criminal defense attorney who represents individuals and companies accused of criminal activity across the U.S. With a proven track record, Nathan has successfully defended clients in both state and federal courts, handling a wide range of offenses.
Nathan’s knowledge of federal crimes is particularly notable. He has extensive experience in defending clients against charges of different kinds of fraud (such as securities, tax, and wire fraud), public corruption, money laundering, cybercrimes, sexual assault, and drug offenses. His deep understanding of these areas allows him to effectively navigate the complexities of federal court and provide robust defense strategies in federal and state prosecutions.
Nathan’s career includes service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as a Deputy District Attorney in Clark County, Nevada. During his tenure as a federal and state prosecutor, he prosecuted over 1,000 felony cases, including white-collar crimes, fraud, sex crimes, and violent offenses. This experience gives Nathan a unique perspective in defending his clients. He also has experience both obtaining for clients and defending clients from dating violence protective orders and civil stalking injunctions.
Nathan is known for his aggressive representation of both adult and juvenile clients. He is adept at responding to search warrants, government investigations, summonses, and subpoenas, and he is a formidable presence in the courtroom.
A distinctive aspect of Nathan’s practice involves representing residential treatment facilities, including assisted living and hospice care centers. He conducts internal investigations, advises on managing difficult residents, and coordinates with local law enforcement when necessary. Nathan also manages media inquiries related to investigations and accusations, serving as a spokesperson when needed.
Nathan is a regular presence in court, having conducted multiple felony jury trials and numerous misdemeanor trials. His courtroom experience spans various states, including Utah, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. He has also argued criminal appeals before the Nevada Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Nathan is an adjunct professor at the University of Utah School of Law, where he instructs courses on White Collar Crimes. He has served as an expert witness in federal criminal law and has been recognized as one of Utah Business‘ Legal Elite.
Credentials
Education
- George Mason University, 2004 (J.D.)
- Utah State University, 2001 (B.A.), cum laude
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
- Helped secure the return of over $809,000 seized by the government to the client in a high-profile case.
- Obtained dismissal of all sexual assault charges prior to trial.
- Obtained release from custody and six months of probation for a juvenile selling drugs in a high school.
- Negotiated a plea in abeyance, return of all property seized, and eventual dismissal of all charges for a client accused of running illegal gaming machines in a high-profile case.
- Secured the return of the client’s vehicle that was seized by federal agents.
- Obtained a hung jury in a high-profile, eight-week felony trial in Miami, Florida, for client charged with major fraud against the U.S.
- Obtained client’s release from custody pending appeal.
- Obtained client’s release from custody, pending trial, in multiple cases.
- Obtained probation for client charged with possession of child pornography.
- Obtained dismissal of all causes of action against client in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Obtained acquittal after three-day jury trial for doctor accused of insurance fraud.
- Obtained dismissal of dating violence protective order that had been filed against client.
- Obtained an order vacating the conviction and dismissing the case of a client that retained Nathan after being convicted.
- Obtained a dismissal of all charges prior to trial for juvenile charged with using a knife in a fight at school.
- Obtained the dismissal of a civil stalking injunction.
- Obtained probation for client charged with multiple drug trafficking felonies.
- Obtained dismissal of four felonies after conducting a preliminary hearing.
- Obtained dismissal of temporary protective order.
- Obtained probation, in high-profile case, for former elected official charged with communications fraud.
- Obtained a dismissal, in a high-profile case, of all charges prior to trial for client accused of starting a large fire.
- Obtained a dismissal of a dating violence protective order.
- Obtained a reduction of charges from two felonies to misdemeanor and probation.
- Obtained a sentence of probation for a client who was facing 87 months under the federal sentencing guidelines.
- Testified as an expert witness in a criminal case before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, Ireland.
- Obtained a full pardon from the State of Utah for client with seven prior convictions.
- Youth Basketball, Football, and Soccer, Volunteer Coach
- KSL Radio, “The Night Side Project,” Legal Commentator
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations, Band 2, 2025
- American Bar Foundation, Lifetime Fellow
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2024-2025
- Utah Business Magazine, Utah Legal Elite, Criminal Law, 2024
- Mountain States Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense
- National Trial Lawyers, 40 Under 40, Invited for National Membership
- American Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
- Utah Bar Association
- Nevada Bar Association
- Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
- University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Adjunct Professor, August 2015-present
- Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- American Society of Trial Consultants
- Federal Criminal Law Practicum joint BYU Law and University of Utah Law class, guest presenter, March 2025
- “Night with a Lawyer, Answering Your Criminal Law Questions,” presentation to Teens and their Parents, December 2024
- “What To Do When You Receive A Subpoena,” Presentation to CPAs, May 2024
- “Criminal Law in Business, How to Stay Out of Trouble, ” Ensign College, April 2024
- “How To Stay on the Right Side of the Law as a Teenage Boy, ” Presentation to Teens and their Parents, September 2023
- “Anatomy of a Murder,” American College of Trial Lawyers, April 2023
- “Night With a Lawyer, Practical Advice for Teens,” Presentation to Teens and their Parents, September 2022
- “Preparing for the Verdict: Pre-Trial Research and Juror Focus Groups,” Utah Defense Lawyers Association, Annual Meeting, May 2019
- “War Dogs: A Case Study of United States v. Efraim Diveroli, et al. The Case That Inspired The Major Motion Picture And The New York Times Best Selling Book,” Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Seminar, May 2017
- “Benefit of Using Trial Prep Consulting Services for Significant Cases,” Utah State Bar Summer Convention, July 2016
- “Congress Should Follow Utah’s Lead on Sentencing Reform,” Salt Lake Tribune, February 2016
- “Criminal Justice Reform Merits Bipartisan Support,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, January 2016
- “Preserving The Chain of Custody for Trial Evidence,” Governmental Law Seminar, 2015
- “How To Respond to A Subpoena For Your Clients Records,” Professional CPA Seminar, December 2013
- “You Have Received A Subpoena For Your Client’s Records, Now What?” Avoiding Legal Trouble for Accountants CPA Seminar, 2013
- “Points and Pointers Regarding Bureau of Prison Placement,” Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Seminar, 2013
- “Law Enforcement: Warrantless Search and Seizure,” Federal Bar Association, Governmental Law Seminar, 2013
- “The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: Avoiding Obstruction of Justice,” Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Seminar, 2012
- “Advising Clients Facing Federal Criminal Charges,” Federal Bar Association, Southern Utah Law Symposium, 2012
- “Interdiction Tactics,” Nevada Highway Patrol, 2008
- “Methamphetamine: A Deadly Drug,” Boy Scouts of America, 2008
- KSL News radio The Nightside Project, legal commentator
- Guest lecturer at S.J. Quinney College of Law
- Testified as an expert witness in United States criminal law in the Central Criminal Court Dublin, Ireland, February 2008
- “Laws of Arrest: Miranda and Terry Stops,” Nevada Department of Public Safety, 2007
- “Search and Seizure,” Henderson Police Department, 2007
- “Narcotics Laws and Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs,” Nevada Department of Public Safety, 2007
- “Punitive Damages: What’s Wealth Got to Do With It?” Washington Legal Foundation Article, 2004