John Stevens Berry

Founding attorney John Stevens Berry (JS or JSB, Steve to old friends) is a legend. In addition to a storied law career that featured high profile court appearances in 24 states and two foreign countries, JSB is also known as a decorated Vietnam Veteran and a distinguished author.

After being commissioned in the Infantry and earning his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University, he became a JAG and served as the chief defense counsel for Vietnam’s largest general court jurisdiction. His most famous case during that time, referred to as “The Green Beret Affair,” made national headlines and is still considered a defining moment for military criminal justice in the United States. His memoir about the case, Those Gallant Men: On Trial in Vietnam, received national recognition and continues to be popular among historians and scholars. After returning to civilian life, JSB briefly practiced in the New York City office of Henry Rothblatt, which served as the defense counsel in a variety of high-profile cases, including representing The Grateful Dead, the Watergate plumbers, and others.

Ready to build his own legacy, JSB started the firm that would eventually become known as Berry Law, and was engaged to work on a number of major international cases, including defending a US Navy Sailor during the largest drug bust in Japan’s history. JSB serves as Berry Law’s ‘Of Counsel’ and has helped thousands of Americans and Veterans take their lives back from difficult situations. JSB founded Berry Law with the same principles he championed in Vietnam, to fearlessly represent his fellow Veterans and uphold justice and liberty for every American. For his diligent work ethic, passion for justice, and incredible legal skill, he is considered one of the best attorneys in the U.S. and holds an AV Preeminent Rating — the highest possible peer rating standard — from Martindale-Hubbell. He also shares his knowledge by conducting seminars for practicing lawyers and speaking at universities across the country after having transferred command of the firm to his son, John Berry, who leads Berry Law with the same passion for justice his father has.

American Board of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Those Gallant Men: ON Trial in Vietnam, Military Book Club Award Winner

Professional Associations and 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

Past Employment 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