About Steven Hideki
Steven Hideki Nakano is a distinguished criminal defense attorney based in San Jose, California. He was admitted to the California State Bar on December 16, 1980, after successfully passing the bar exam on his first attempt in November 1980. Nakano earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law in the same year. Following his graduation, he began his legal career at the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office, where he served from 1981 to 1985. During this formative period, he handled numerous cases and developed a keen understanding of the critical role that addressing clients' substance abuse issues plays in breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration. In August 1985, Nakano co-founded the law firm Nakano and Sugihara alongside fellow public defender Glenn Sugihara.
The firm quickly gained recognition as one of the leading private trial attorneys in Santa Clara County. Nakano's innovative approach to legal representation included collaborating with private psychological therapists. That better understand his clients' circumstances and represent them in court. This unique strategy set the firm apart and contributed to its growing reputation in the legal community. In 1997, Nakano gained national attention for being the first attorney to use digital animation as demonstrative evidence in a California murder case. This groundbreaking technique was pivotal in the acquittal of his client, Shanandoha Garcia, in the case of California versus Shanandoha Garcia.
The innovative use of technology in the courtroom was later featured on the television program Tech Now with Bay Area News Reporter Scott McGrew, showcasing Nakano's forward-thinking approach to legal defense. Throughout his career, Nakano has handled many criminal cases, including assault, domestic violence, DUI, drug offenses, weapon crimes, murder, robberies, sex crimes, and theft crimes. His dedication to each case is evident; he invests significant time and resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients. This commitment has earned him a reputation as a thorough and passionate advocate for those he represents. Beyond his legal practice, Nakano is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the Board of Directors for the San Jose Taiko Group and Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI).
His volunteer work includes supporting the Foundry School, a community day school for at-risk youth. Additionally, he is a long-time member of the American Indian Movement's 500-mile runners, reflecting his dedication to social justice and community engagement. His office is located at 161 Jackson Street, Suite 200, San Jose, California 95112, where he continues to advocate for his clients with the same passion and commitment that has defined his career.
