John S. Berry

John S. Berry, fights for veterans in the courtroom and beyond. After receiving his commission as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, John completed Airborne School and Ranger School. In 1999, while assigned to the First Cavalry Division, he deployed to Bosnia for Operation Joint Forge as a platoon leader. John also served as a Company Commander in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. John finished his military career as a Battalion Commander in the National Guard and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He has since been inducted into the Nebraska National Guard Regional Training Institute Hall of Fame.

John graduated from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia (B.A. 1997) and Creighton University School of Law, cum laude (2003). He is also a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College at Mercer Law School in Macon, Georgia (2004) and the famed Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College at Thunderhead Ranch (2018). John maintains an AV Preeminent designation from Martindale Hubbell, a Superlawyers designation, and has been recognized as one of the National Trial Lawyersโ€™ Top 100 Trial Lawyers for over 10 years. John has presented and lectured in the areas of jury trial skills, criminal defense, veteransโ€™ disability appeals, and military leadership. Berry Law has served over 10,000 Veterans nationwide recovering over $300 million in backpay awards for veterans. The Firm has also been awarded the HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Pro Patria Award.

John was inducted into the 209th Regional Training institute Hall of Fame. ย Under his leadership , Berry Law ย hasย  received many national awards for its success in both the business community and the veteran community. These awards include the ESGR pro patria award, Dept of Labor Platinum Medallion, INC 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States for seven consecutive years, and the Law Firm 500 list for six years. Showing their community spirit, John recently served as the honorary commander of the 50 Mile March in 2023, John and other veterans and supporters marched 50 miles from Lincoln to Omaha raising nearly $300,000 for Nebraska Veterans. That same year John was selected as Grand Marshall for the Lincoln Veterans Parade. John recently partnered with the Jet Foundation to provide scholarships for military Veterans with Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Rodgers. We invite you to tune into the Veteran-Led podcast, where John delves into the advantages military Veterans have in civilian business life.


Bar Admissions

  • Nebraska
  • Iowa
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit

Education

  • Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, J.D. cum laude โ€“ 2003
  • College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VAB.A. โ€“ 1997
  • National Criminal Defense College at Mercer Law School, Macon, GAโ€“ 2004
  • Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academyโ€“ 2008
  • Trial Lawyers Collegeโ€“ 2018
  • Bunker Labs CEO Circleโ€“ 2024

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • National Organization of Veterans Advocates
  • Forbes Business Counsel, Member, 2020
  • Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneyโ€™s Association, President, 2014-15
  • Selected to attend JP Morgan Chase and Bunker Labs CEO Circle
  • Creator of the Veteran Led podcast
  • Lincoln Independent Business Association, Board Member, 2008 โ€“ Present
  • Nebraska State Bar Association Military Law Section, Board Member, 2012 – Present
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers โ€“ Life Member
  • Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
  • Inns of Court, 2004-2010
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2012-2023
  • Nebraska National Guard, Regional Training Institute Hall of Fame
  • Honorary Commander of 50 Mile March 2023 which raised almost $300,000 for Nebraska veterans

Awards

  • Berry Law has won ESGR pro patria award for hiring reservists
  • Law Firm 500 list 6 years in a row
  • Earned the Dept. of Labor Platinum Medalion for hiring veterans
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for ten years in a row
  • INC 5000 List of Fastest Growing companies in America 7 years in a Row
  • Selected as Best Lawyers in America by US News and World Report

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