John S. Berry
Berry Law Attorney since 2003
Trial Attorney and Army Veteran
John S. Berry is a warrior. He has led successful teams in Bosnia and Iraq and continues to lead teams in the courtroom. John fights with both tenacity and skill to orchestrate impressive victories against difficult odds. He has won scores of battles for clients facing criminal charges, injured veterans, and people injured in serious accidents. As a Veteran, John also has intimate knowledge of the Veterans Affairs system and has delivered justice for thousands of Veterans.
John’s warrior ethos has become the foundation for the firm’s success. He’s gained innumerable awards for his success as a trial attorney and has spoken nationally about trial strategy, constitutional rights, and PTSD among Veterans. He’s been featured in The Washington Post, Thrive Global, and ESPN, and has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW channels in various markets.
Work with John“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
Vince Lombardi
Leading by Example
After more than 20 years of service in the United States Army and the Nebraska National Guard, John retired as a Battalion Commander and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the 209th Regimental Training Institute (RTI) for his service. His remarkable leadership in the military was borne of his guiding principle: “Warriors lead by example.” John always puts himself on the front lines of defense and fights relentlessly under extreme pressure and unfavorable circumstances. By ferociously pushing himself to perform better both in his work and his personal life, he inspires his teammates and clients to do the same.
Countless clients have thanked John personally for motivating them to keep fighting for what’s right and to never give up when faced with a challenge. John knows it’s important for his clients to feel confident and empowered; a resolute defendant has the energy and tenacity to keep fighting and working to win the case. By empowering his team to be unyielding and push diligently for the victory, he’s saved thousands of lives—on the battlefield and in the courtroom.
Always a Winner
It’s no secret that John is intensely competitive. But that’s OK—it helps him and his family and friends constantly work at improving themselves. He likes to push himself in the gym and can be spotted around town working out and running long distance races with his wife and kids. John is inspired and sharpened by his wife, Mallory, who’s also a defense attorney with whom he’s worked multiple times to win cases for clients—together. John loves spending time with Mallory and his four children who also encourage him to be the best family man he can be. He frequently travels with them and has a blast taking them hiking, skiing, surfing, and rafting at national parks and around the world. At home, John loves playing with his family mascot and golden retriever, Piper, who’s a bit too big to cuddle but tries to anyway. Whether at play or at work, John is always improving his skills and inspiring others to be the best they can be. With John at your side, there’s no case too difficult to win.
"John is the real deal! He was a pleasure to work with. Everything went very smooth and on his end very timely. I appreciate that he was on the button to explain things that needed to be and made sure we were ahead of all our dates. An absolute genuine person and soul is what he is. A very stressful situation for me he maneuvered and handled skillfully. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone that needs the services he offers!"
- M.S.
"I was accused of a horrific crime I did not commit. John and his staff honestly did everything I could have hoped for and more. So glad John was the one we went with."
- D.
Credentials
Honors & Awards
- Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney by Attorney and Practice magazine
- Best Lawyers in America Criminal Defense, 2023
- Platinum Client Champion, 2021
- Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion, 2019-2023
- Great Plains Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2019-2024
- Hall of Fame, Nebraska National Guard, 209th Regional Training Institute, 2019
- 10.0 Lawyer Rating, Justia
- Lawyer Legion, Recognized for Community Leadership
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2012-2024
- AVVO 10 out of 10 rating
- AVVO Client’s Choice Award (2016)
- Excellence in Criminal Defense, Lawyers of Distinction
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 (2012)
- Top 50 DUI Lawyer
- Lincoln Independent Business Association: Outstanding Young Professional Award 2013
- Army Meritorious Service Medal (2)
- Army Commendation Medal (3)
- Lieutenant Colonel, Nebraska Army National Guard
- Parachutist Badge
- Ranger Tab
- Selected to attend JP Morgan Chase and Bunker Labs CEO Circle
- Honorary Commander of 50 Mile March 2023 which raised almost $300,000 for Nebraska veterans
- Creator of the Veteran Led podcast
- 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
- Selected as Best Lawyers in America by US News and World Report
- INC 5000 List of Fastest Growing companies in America 7 years in a Row
Areas of Practice
- State and Federal Criminal Defense
- Personal Injury
- Title IX Defense for Students and Faculty
- Sex Crimes
- Interstate Drug Stops
- White Collar
- Drug Crimes
- Veterans Appeals
- Felony DUIs
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Military Law
Bar Admissions
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals Veterans Claims
Education
- J.D. cum laude, Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska (2003)
- B.A., College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA (1997)
- National Criminal Defense College at Mercer Law School, Macon, GA (2004)
- Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy (2008)
- Trial Lawyers College