Walter Nash
Biography
Walter Nash has been representing people in criminal cases for more than 46 years and has earned the reputation of being one of the top attorneys in the country in the field of criminal justice. Walter has handled major cases in state and federal courts throughout Arizona and across the country, including in the United States Supreme Court. He is known for his diligent case preparation, hard work, comprehensive investigation, innovating defenses and motion practice, and aggressive and effective representation of his clients. Walter has joined the Law Office of Hernandez & Hamilton of counsel and brings his unparalleled skill and expertise to the team.
Walter has achieved numerous accolades and accomplishments over the years, including an “AV” rating (the highest possible rating) by Martindale-Hubbell, listing in the Best Lawyers in America, the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Southwest SuperLawyers, Top Attorneys in Arizona (Arizona Business Magazine) Best Lawyers (U.S. News & World Report), Best Law Firms, and numerous other publications. Most recently, Walter was appointed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments and, in 2018, was awarded the Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award for lifetime achievement by the State Bar of Arizona.
Resume
EDUCATION:
University of Arizona, B.A . Economics (with Honors), 1968
University of Arizona, J.D., 1971
LICENSED:
Arizona (1971)
United States District Court, District of Arizona (1971)
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1972)
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (1995)
United States Supreme Court (1974)
PRO HAC VICE:
United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (1994)
United States District Court, Central District of Illinois (1996)
United States District Court, District of Colorado (2009)
United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (2011)
PUBLISHED CASES:
United States v. Padilla, 508 U.S. 77 (1993)
Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996)
United States v. Johns, 469 U.S. 478 (1985)
United States v. Gonzales, Inc., 412 F.3d 1102 (9th Cir. 2005)
United States v. Padilla, 111 F.3d 685 (9th Cir. 1997)
Ralls v. United States, 52 F.3d 223 (9th Cir. 1995)
United States v. Gaxiola-Castillo, 978 F.2d 546 (9th Cir. 1992)
United States v. Padilla, 960 F.2d 854 (9th Cir. 1992)
United States v. Dominguez-Villa, 954 F.2d 562 (9th Cir. 1992)
United States v. Barrera-Moreno, 951 F.2d 1089 (9th Cir. 1991)
United States v. Johns, 891 F.2d 243 (9th Cir. 1989)
United States v. Dupuy, 760 F.2d 1492 (9th Cir. 1885)
Hughes v. Jorgenson, 203 Ariz. 71, 50 P.3d 821 (2002)
State v. Superior Court (Ochoa), 901 P.2d 1169 (App. 1995)
State v. Gessler, 690 P.2d 379 (App. 1984)
State v. Floyd, 586 P.2d 203 (App. 1978)
ACTIVITIES:
Member, Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, Arizona Supreme Court (2009-present)
Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Arizona College of Law
Pima County Commission of Trial Court Appointments
Master of the Bench, Morris K. Udall Inn of Court (2004-2009)
State Bar of Arizona Professionalism Task Force (2003-2006)
President of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (1996)
MEMBERSHIP:
Arizona Attorney’s for Criminal Justice (1986-present)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1972-present)
Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1972-1995)
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
Southern Arizona Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS:
Martindale-Hubbel “AV” rating, Individual & Firm
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Criminal Trial Practice
The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Law
Southwest SuperLawyers, Criminal Defense
Top Attorneys in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine
Best Lawyers by U.S. News
Top Attorneys in Arizona by Phoenix Magazine
Top Lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle
Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report
Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award recipient (2018)
John J. Flynn Lifetime Achievement Award (2016)