Dan Cron
Founder and Lead Attorney
Dan is the founder and lead attorney at Dan Cron Law Firm, P.C., with over 40 years of legal experience. Dan has built a reputation as one of New Mexico’s top criminal defense attorneys and for handling some of the most challenging cases. His extensive legal career, combined with his unmatched expertise and dedication to his clients, makes him a trusted and highly respected figure in the legal community.
Known for his relentless dedication, innovative approach, meticulous attention to detail, Dan is passionate about not just resolving his clients’ immediate legal challenges, but also helping them address underlying issues for lasting success.
Outside of his practice, Dan is committed to mentoring younger attorneys via podcasts and contributing to the broader legal community as much as he can. He strives to foster a collaborative, family-like environment within his firm, ensuring every client receives personalized, compassionate care.
Dan is known for taking the tough cases that other lawyers shy away from. This includes Dan’s representation of a client in the January 6 insurrection prosecutions. Dan Cron secured the first, and only one of two, full acquittals of all charges at trial out of the 1,600 cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Early Career and National Recognition
Dan Cron moved to Santa Fe in 1980 to monitor the federal court order placed over the Penitentiary of New Mexico following the notorious prison riot. His efforts to expose systemic deficiencies within the state’s prison system brought him national recognition. Dan worked closely with the New Mexico Corrections Department to address these issues, laying the foundation for his future legal career. Dan’s peers have continuously recognized his legal excellence since 1993 with a Martindale- Hubbell rating of AV, the highest rating possible for a lawyer to achieve. His peers have also recognized his pre-eminence in criminal law by voting his inclusion in Best Lawyers in America every year since 1995.
Dan is also listed in Southwest Super Lawyers. He was honored by Best Lawyers in America with their White-Collar Lawyer of the Year award in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Dan received the Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year award from Best Lawyers for 2023. In 2018, Dan was honored by the ACLU as the 2018 New Mexico Lawyer of the Year for his career work in protecting civil liberties and individual freedoms for New Mexicans.
Innovative Defense and Client-Centered Approach
Dan is widely recognized for his zealous representation, innovative legal strategies, and unwavering commitment to his clients. He is known for his respectful demeanor, attention to detail, and relentless pursuit of justice. Clients and colleagues alike value his high ethical standards, compassionate approach, and ability to craft ingenious defenses to even the most challenging cases.
Karen Sortino
Senior Paralegal
Karen has lived in New Mexico since 1974 and has worked side by side as a paralegal with Dan for 30 years. She works closely with Dan, Aws, and Wendy.
Karen attended the University of Texas. Her sunny demeanor and understanding manner are of great comfort to clients, many of whom are experiencing events that are among the most traumatic that they will encounter in their lifetime.
Karen is a consummate team player who one time volunteered to be “strangled” during a demonstration that proved to be instrumental in the dismissal of charges against a client in a first-degree murder death penalty case.
Karen’s genuine concern for the plight of our clients has been appreciated and acknowledged by countless clients over the years.
Aws Ghweir
Paralegal
Aws (pronounced like “house” without the “h”) is often the first person you’ll speak with when you call. Known for his professional demeanor and comforting presence, Aws combines kindness, compassion, and technical expertise to make clients feel at ease.
A Santa Fe native and lifelong resident, Aws graduated with an associate’s degree in computer science from Santa Fe Community College. He loves helping clients solve their problems.
Wendy Cron
Office Manager
Wendy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. After a lengthy career with Microsoft, Wendy was an entrepreneur and worked in retail. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing management and a minor in computer science from Bentley University.
Known for her compassion, dedication, and warm personality, Wendy ensures the office runs smoothly and that both clients and colleagues feel supported. For Wendy, the most rewarding part of her role is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
