Craig Nolan

My Background

Craig Nolan, a former federal and state prosecutor with extensive trial and appellate experience, represents individuals and entities at trial, on appeal, and in criminal defense, government investigation and enforcement, and complex civil litigation matters. Mr. Nolan also conducts internal investigations for clients.

Mr. Nolan brings the perspective of a federal prosecutor, trial attorney, and appellate advocate to matters that require early control, informed judgment, and demonstrable trial-readiness. A skilled trial attorney, he views each dispute, investigation, and prosecution through the lens of trial to evaluate risk, formulate options, and build a compelling narrative for trial and for resolution before a criminal charge or civil complaint is filed.

During the past three decades, Mr. Nolan has served as White Collar Crimes Chief at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Hawaii, Branch Chief at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Vermont, State’s Attorney (County Prosecuting Attorney) for Vermont’s third-largest county, and as a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator at Dinse P.C. and another leading Vermont law firm. He has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict, including contract, fraud, murder, civil rights, cybercrime, sexual exploitation of children, and narcotics matters, and represented parties in dozens of federal and state supreme court appeals. As a prosecutor, Mr. Nolan investigated and prosecuted financial and healthcare fraud, insider trading, money laundering, cybercrime, public corruption, false statement, espionage, civil rights, environmental, obstruction of justice, RICO, murder, kidnapping, sex, narcotics, firearm, and other white collar and violent crimes.

Mr. Nolan’s trial, appellate, and litigation practice encompasses:

• Federal, state, and county criminal prosecutions, government civil enforcement proceedings, and property forfeiture matters;
• Grand jury, law enforcement, and civil enforcement investigations;
• Regulatory and administrative violation and disciplinary investigations and hearings;
• Complex civil litigation, including commercial, products liability, and whistleblower/qui tam matters; and
• Internal investigations.

Experience

• Assistant United States Attorney for Hawaii (2020-2026) and Vermont (2007-2015), including White Collar Crimes Chief (Hawaii) and Branch Chief (Vermont)
• State’s Attorney for Washington County, Vermont (2005-2007) and Deputy State’s Attorney for Lamoille County, Vermont (2002-2005)
• Criminal Defense Attorney and Civil Litigator at Dinse P.C. (1997-2002; August 2026 to Present) and another leading Vermont law firm (2015-2019)
• Law Clerk to Hon. Fred I. Parker, United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit (1999-2000), and the Hon. Terrence W. Boyle, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina (1995-1996)

Representative Criminal Matters

• Obtained Jury Acquittal of Federal Law Enforcement Agent on assault charge in Vermont Superior Court.
• Successfully represented construction management company in $200-million fraud investigation by the Department of Justice.
• Obtained favorable decision from United States Court of Appeals for Second Circuit reversing evidence suppression decision by United States District Court for Vermont.
• Investigated, prosecuted, and obtained Guilty Jury Verdict for interstate threats to kill public officials. Argued and obtained Affirmance on appeal in Ninth Circuit.
• Investigated, prosecuted, and obtained Guilty Jury Verdict against three Hawaii correctional officers for assaulting inmate and obstructing justice, resulting in sentences between 5 and 12 years.
• Investigated, prosecuted, and obtained Guilty Jury Verdict against Air Force JAG officer for attempted sexual enticement of minors and attempted production and receipt of child pornography, resulting in 20-year sentence.
• Investigated, prosecuted, and obtained Guilty Jury Verdicts and guilty pleas against 25 conspirators in District of Vermont’s then-largest powder cocaine conspiracy, resulting in sentence of 25 years for lead defendant.
• Prosecuted and obtained Guilty Jury Verdict in quadruple murder case.
• Investigated and prosecuted defense contractor CEO’s $12.8-million wire fraud and money laundering, resulting in guilty plea, 7-year sentence, and forfeiture of more than $10 million.
• Investigated and prosecuted capital case involving kidnapping, rape, and murder of 12-year-old girl, resulting in sentence of life plus 70 years.

Representative Civil Enforcement & Litigation Matters

• Obtained Jury Verdict in favor of client on breach of contract claim in medical technology field.
• Obtained Defense Jury Verdict on medical malpractice and wrongful death claims against general surgeon client.
• Obtained Defense Jury Verdict on medical malpractice claim against general surgeon and hospital clients, and verdict limiting damages on informed consent claim to medical costs.
• Obtained favorable Vermont Supreme Court decision on appeal from PUC for energy company on environmental advocacy organization’s claim that amended certificate of public good was required due to market changes.
• Obtained favorable Vermont Supreme Court decision for energy company in ratemaking proceeding on appeal from PUC.
• Obtained Vermont Supreme Court decisions reversing civil stalking restraining orders issued against clients in two unrelated cases.
• Obtained Vermont Superior Court decision reversing administrative denial of FOIA demand by local television station client for documents withheld by governor’s office.
• Obtained favorable settlement with SEC and avoided federal indictment for client accused of insider trading.
• Obtained favorable settlement for energy company against groundwater pollution claims by state after partially successful motion to dismiss and interlocutory appeal.
• Obtained summary judgment for energy company on claims by competitor under Federal Power Act and Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act.
• Successfully defended solar energy developer against multimillion-dollar tortious interference with contract claim by competitor, leading to summary judgment for client.
• Obtained favorable settlement for car rental company and insurer in million-dollar insurance coverage declaratory judgment action.
• Obtained favorable settlement for solar systems distributor on Telephone Consumer Protection Act and related claims.
• Obtained favorable settlement for telephone company on employment discrimination claims.
• Obtained federal judicial reversal of HHS denial of client’s medical equipment claim.
• Obtained favorable settlement for widow in multimillion-dollar probate litigation.
• Obtained favorable arbitration award for homeowners against construction company.
• Led multimillion-dollar civil forfeiture action arising out of defense contractor’s use of SBA 8(a) program to commit wire fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering for personal enrichment.

Recognition

• Named in Best Lawyers in America, White Collar Criminal Defense, 2019 (most recent full year in private practice).
• Awarded United States Department of Justice EOUSA Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an AUSA-Criminal, 2013.
• Awarded District of Hawaii HIDTA Case of the Year, 2021 & 2025.
• Awarded Top Cop Hawaii, Federal Prosecution, 2023.

Professional Affiliations

• Federal Bar Association
• Vermont Bar Association
• Hawaii Bar Association
• Chittenden County Bar Association
• Former Board Chair, Village of Jeffersonville, Vermont
• Former Justice of the Peace, Town of Waterbury, Vermont
• Former Alternate Commissioner, Vermont District 5 Environmental Commission
• Former Member, Second Circuit CJA Attorney Advisory Group

Court Admissions

• United States District Courts for Vermont, New York (Northern), and North Carolina (Eastern & Middle)
• United States Courts of Appeals for Second, Fourth, and Ninth Circuits