Veteran Trial Lawyer Barry J. Pollack Will Defend Nicolás Maduro in New York Case

Barry J. Pollack, a veteran New York trial lawyer and partner at Harris St. Laurent & Weschler LLP, has been retained to represent Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in his New York proceedings on charges that include an alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. Pollack stood alongside Maduro at the arraignment; Flores is being represented separately by Mark Donnelly, a former Houston prosecutor.

High-Profile Defense Experience

Pollack is widely known for leading Julian Assange’s U.S. defense for more than a decade and guiding the strategy that resulted in a 2024 plea agreement and Assange’s release. Assange pleaded guilty to a single count under the Espionage Act for publishing classified military and diplomatic materials; prosecutors had argued the disclosures endangered national security.

Colleagues say Pollack’s Assange work — a complex case that combined legal, political and First Amendment issues — is relevant preparation for defending a defendant at the center of international controversy.

“There’s always challenges in high-profile cases, but Barry’s a veteran,” said Andy Birrell, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a former colleague. “He’s done it before.”

Reputation and Notable Wins

Pollack’s legal career spans more than three decades. Chambers USA describes him as a “thorough and deep-thinking lawyer” who “lives, breathes and sleeps trials.” Colleagues characterize him as meticulous, unassuming and effective at translating complex legal issues for juries.

Notable victories in Pollack’s career include a full acquittal for Michael Krautz, a former Enron accountant charged with criminal fraud, and winning reversal and dismissal of charges for Martin Tankleff, who served 17 years after a wrongful conviction. Those outcomes and his long trial experience are often cited as evidence of his readiness to handle intricate, high-stakes matters.

Perspective on Defense Work

In a Lawdragon interview published in April, Pollack said the most rewarding part of his work has been the personal relationships he forms with clients during crises. After Assange’s release in 2024, Pollack publicly argued that the prosecution raised important free-speech and press-freedom issues.

Pollack, a graduate of Indiana University and Georgetown University Law Center, did not immediately respond to requests for a new interview for this story. After the arraignment, he told an NBC News reporter, “I think what President Maduro said in court speaks for itself.” Maduro — speaking through a translator — denied the charges, said he had been “kidnapped,” and insisted he remains Venezuela’s president.

This article is based on reporting originally published on NBCNews.com.