Spotlight on Nathan Downing: Attorney, Scientist, Advocate & Leader

At Gardner Law, we’re proud to highlight the people behind our work—talented professionals who bring unmatched expertise to FDA-regulated industries. Today, we’re spotlighting Nathan Downing, an attorney whose path from neuroscience research to regulatory law reflects both scientific depth and human-centered leadership.

Nathan holds a neuroscience degree from the University of Minnesota, where he published research on epilepsy, genetics, and transplant-related seizures in journals such as Neurology, Epilepsia, and Transplantation. His work in the lab sharpened his ability to think like a scientist, a skill he now uses daily to translate complex science into actionable legal advice for medical device, pharmaceutical, and digital health clients.

He also gained early litigation experience, serving in the Denver District Attorney’s Office and clerking for the Colorado Second Judicial District Court, where he further honed his advocacy skills in the courtroom.

Before joining Gardner Law, Nathan spent time at Medtronic guiding regulatory submissions, due diligence, and advertising review. During that time, he advised senior leadership, including then-CEO Omar Ishrak, on critical projects. His ability to perform flawlessly under pressure, even in high-stakes boardroom settings, earned him recognition and respect at the highest levels. 

“I witnessed Nate first-hand presenting to the board of directors of a prestigious high-tech medtech company during a contentious, high-stakes FDA regulatory debate that had the organization tied in knots. With directors and their lawyers pressing him from both sides of the issue, he performed flawlessly and left the meeting with both camps thanking him for his counsel. Nate is the epitome of grace under pressure. He possesses the rare combination of advanced advocacy skills carried by the finest attorneys, together with the deep technical expertise of a scientist.”
—Mark Gardner, MBA, Esq., Founder & Managing Partner, Gardner Law

Since joining Gardner Law in 2021, Nathan has advised FDA-regulated companies at every stage of the product lifecycle, from premarket authorization to compliant promotion. His clients trust him for practical guidance that balances regulatory precision with real-world business needs.

Nathan has regularly been recognized for his client work, most recently being named to the Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers database after a client selected him as one of the three most outstanding attorneys the company had worked with in the past three years.

Colleagues admire Nathan not only for his expertise, but also for his leadership and empathy. He champions his associates’ successes, praises their efforts, and mentors with generosity. Outside the office, Nathan is a dedicated father of three, an avid climber, runner, and mountain biker, and a longtime youth sports coach.

“Nathan has a gift for translating complex regulatory and scientific concepts into clear, business-oriented guidance that clients can act on. He not only delivers excellent results for our clients, but also invests deeply in mentoring his team, helping them grow into thoughtful, practical advisors.”
—Amanda Johnston, Partner, Gardner Law

Later this fall, Nathan will bring his insight to Navigating What’s Next: AI, Compliance, and Regulation in Life Sciences, where he’ll serve on the AI in Life Sciences panel and present a joint U.S./E.U. regulatory update with Dr. Cord Willhoeft of Fieldfisher.

To hear Nathan and our full slate of speakers share their perspectives on the future of life sciences compliance, register at the link below.