About
Nicholas T. Hine
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
- Harvard Law Review, Book Reviews Chair
- Stephen L. Werner Prize
University of Virginia, B.A., high distinction, Political and Social Thought
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Echols Scholar
Clerkships
Hon. Amalya L. Kearse, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Hon. Allyne R. Ross, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Admissions
New York • Montana • Colorado
SDNY • EDNY • Second Circuit
Nick Hine is an experienced trial lawyer and appellate practitioner who specializes in criminal defense matters. After graduating from Harvard Law School and honing his legal skills as a federal law clerk, Nick dedicated himself to representing indigent clients as a public defender in Billings, Montana—an experience that grounds his practice today. After returning to New York City, Nick founded Hine Law PLLC to continue serving his Montana clients while bringing his sharp legal skills to the defense of individuals in New York. Whether practicing in Manhattan or the Mountain West, he fights tirelessly to protect his clients’ liberty and dignity.
Nick secures exemplary outcomes for his clients through exhaustive preparation, command of the law, instinct for the strongest arguments, and persuasive advocacy. On appeal, he has secured the release of several clients from prison after winning reversals before the Montana Supreme Court. At trial, he has achieved acquittals on serious federal charges carrying potential sentences of life in prison. And he has saved clients from the stress and risk of trial by winning pretrial dismissals through successful motions brought to defend his clients’ constitutional rights. In Montana, he specializes in appeals to the Montana Supreme Court from criminal convictions and civil commitments. In New York, he specializes in federal trials and appeals.
Nick’s legal scholarship has appeared in the Harvard Law Review.
Notable Cases
Judgment of Acquittal
In a federal jury trial, won a rare Rule 29(a) motion for judgment of acquittal before submission to the jury on a kidnapping conspiracy charge.
Reversal of Unlawful Adult Sentence
On appeal, won reversal of a lengthy sentence for a juvenile client who was unlawfully prosecuted as an adult, resulting in his immediate release from prison.
DUI Dismissal After Trial Victory
Achieved a hung jury mistrial and subsequent dismissal in a DUI case, notwithstanding a statutory presumption that his client was driving under the influence.
Securing Time-Served Credit
On appeal, won reversal of a sentence for failure to credit the client with nearly 1,000 days of time credit earned on probation, resulting in his immediate release from prison.
Protecting Constitutional Rights
Won suppression of evidence and dismissal after arguing that his client was unlawfully stopped and frisked and questioned in violation of his Miranda rights.
Reversing Civil Commitments
Achieved several reversals on appeal from civil commitment hearings that violated his clients’ constitutional and statutory rights.
Contact
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