John Stevens Berry, Sr. has appeared in court in 24 states and two foreign countries. Following his military service, he was briefly associated with the Henry B. Rothblatt Offices in New York in 1970 and 1971, where he tried a number of high-profile cases. He returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1971 and has continued to have a regional criminal trial practice. In 1986, he was Civilian Defense Counsel in the biggest drug bust in the history of Japan. He has conducted seminars for practicing lawyers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, and has been invited to the Judge Advocate Generals School at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, to lecture on issues regarding criminal defense in the military. Mr. Berry has an AV rating through Martindale Hubbell and is also recognized by Super Lawyers for his high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Education
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Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
- J.D. – 1965
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Stanford University
- B.A. – 1960
Areas of Practice
- Veterans Appeals
- Criminal Defense
- Injury Law
- Federal Appeals
Bar Admissions
- Nebraska, 1965
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 1965
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1970
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1974
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1979
- U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, 1996
Published Works
- Those Gallant Men: On Trial in Vietnam, Presidio Press, 1984
- The Twelfth Victim: The Innocence of Caril Fugate, Addicus Books, Inc 2014
Honors and Awards
- Recipient: Bronze Star, Vietnamese Medal of Honor First Class (Gold)
- Recipient: Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Palm)
- Recipient: FBI Award for Service in the Public Interest
- Fellow, American Board of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Those Gallant Men: ON Trial in Vietnam, Military Book Club Award Winner
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Nebraska State and Federal Bar Associations, Veterans’ Law Section, Member
- Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, Member
- Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association, President, 1991 – 1992
- Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association, Chairman, Committee on Expert Witnesses and Forensic Sciences, 1985 – 1989
- American Association for Justice, Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Member
- American Academy of Forensic Science, Member
- National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Member
- Robert Van Pelt Chapter, Inns of Court, Member, Executive Board of Directors, 1990 – 1993
- Robert Van Pelt Chapter, Inns of Court, President, 1990 – 1993
Notable Positions
- Military Capt. JAGC, Chief Defense Counsel, II Field Force, Vietnam, 1968 – 1969
- Military Capt. JAGC, The Presidio, San Francisco, 1969 – 1970
- Franklin Committee of the Nebraska State Legislature, Special Counsel, 1990
- Henry B. Rothblatt Offices in New York, 1970 – 1971
Books by John S. Berry, Sr.
Client Perspective
"The Berry Law Firm was recommended to me by a friend whose opinions I hold highly. However, they exceeded all expectations I had. John and his colleagues treated me like family and we're available any time I had questions or needed anything. I couldn't ask for more out of a law firm. My case was handled swiftly and professionally with the best possible outcome. I highly recommend the Berry Law Firm for anyone seeking legal counsel."
- John Mandril
Featured Newsletter
November 2020
Captain Berry (right) receiving his Bronze Star at II Field Force.
From Left: Captain Berry & three of the Green Berets he represented in 1969: Captain Brumley, Major Middleton, and Captain Marasco
Combat Lawyer in Vietnam
