Mass Black Judge

Prosecutors are alarmed about a conservative lawyer representing 17 defendants charged in Capitol riot cases – John Pierce has failed to appear for numerous court hearings, while an associate is appearing instead without being licensed as an attorney.

David Iohn is best known for waging fierce legal battles on behalf of his clients, such as members of Oath Keepers militia and Proud Boys who participated in post-inauguration rioting.

Attorney John Pierce’s Background

John Pierce is an internationally recognized attorney, offering assistance to individuals and businesses involved in high stakes cases against the government. He has successfully represented clients under investigation from agencies such as the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams. John has also handled complex civil fraud matters as well as white collar crime matters including securities fraud, embezzlement and health care fraud charges against executives or officers of his clients’ companies.

After the 2016 presidential election, Pierce took on many contentious and Constitutionally significant cases involving public figures. He represented members of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militia as well as several politicians such as Rudy Giuliani and George Papadopoulos as they faced charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder, possessing weapons of mass destruction, money laundering and more.

Pierce was known to represent Kyle Rittenhouse who was charged in relation to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. But after failing to appear for an important hearing on behalf of his client in late August, prosecutors lost contact with him; an associate named Ryan Marshall instead attended and informed the judge he believed Pierce was hospitalized due to COVID and on a ventilator.

Marshall failed to appear for another of Pierce’s Capitol riot clients on Sept. 3, prompting a judge to issue him a summons to appear for court on Sept 13. However, federal prosecutors notified them that Pierce may no longer be able to attend due to Covid infection and could therefore not make his court date.

Marshall eventually was ordered by a judge to stop representing Pierce’s clients on the Capitol riot case and hand their files over to federal public defenders. During his brief stint as Pierce’s replacement, Marshall provided various excuses for missed court appearances, such as believing Pierce suffered from COVID and was on ventilator; after 12 days at a Los Angeles-area hospital he has since been released back home.

John’s Practice Areas

John has over 18 years of experience advising clients in the development, financing and structuring of energy and infrastructure projects, from traditional power generation projects fueled by fossil fuels to those using renewable sources like wind or solar power. John also advises clients on energy and chemical supply contracts as well as offshore oil drilling operations and port facilities (bulk or container).

Lawyer for several riot-related cases has been absent from court recently, with his associates offering different excuses as to his absence. At first they suggested Covid-19 might be responsible for his absence; when federal prosecutors alerted judges about this claim they informed judges; however he later surfaced with another story this week.

He represents over 20 Capitol riot defendants and their prosecution is pressing charges against them and others, alleging political persecution for January 6 incident. To defend his clients he plans to assert they were acting within their duties as law enforcement officers.

Pierce is not the first attorney to combine politics and legal cases, and his case highlights some of its risks. He has no shortage of high-profile clients to represent such as Rudy Giuliani, George Papadopoulos, Tulsi Gabbard and Carter Page – not to mention running a conservative legal group that raised funds for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns!

His recent case, which involves Alabama woman Stephanie Baez’s arrest for entering the Capitol without first receiving clearance and posting Instagram videos inside, demonstrates the difficulty associated with mixing activism and high-stakes business litigation.

On Wednesday, Pierce assured the judge in Baez’s case that he can “100%” represent him and is back to working his cases after spending 12 days hospitalized for unknown reasons. While not disclosing why, Pierce did explain that his doctor advised taking it easy for 12 weeks and can no longer engage in long distance travel. During their hearing session, bail was granted for Baez.

John’s Qualifications

John Pierce had represented so many of those charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that he lost track. Last month, however, John disappeared altogether without returning calls, his phone going unanswered at his law firm or any prosecutors being able to contact him; their cases were put on pause as well.

Now he’s back. Pierce appeared during a virtual hearing for one of Alabama resident Stephanie Baez’s cases in which he represented her – she assured him of her trust during court proceedings and promised that after his 12-day stay in a Los Angeles-area hospital he will resume representing clients again.

John offers arbitration representation to European, US and Latin American companies across multiple industries and sectors in disputes arising out of complex international commercial transactions involving international arbitral awards, including efforts to enforce or resist them. John also advises clients on international joint venture, M&A and shareholder agreements, pharmaceutical, electronics, telecoms, transportation and financial services matters as well as potential claims under bilateral investment treaties.

John’s clients often face serious allegations, which require an aggressive and thorough defense strategy. He understands the disruption a criminal investigation or civil lawsuit can have on companies, families and people’s lives in general – this is why John strives to minimize its effect on both sides of these cases.

John spent much of his law student days working for the Economic Justice Clinic and gained a deep insight into how litigation affects clients financially, emotionally and physically. As a lawyer he strives to be an advocate for his clients while taking all steps possible to ensure positive results for his clients.

John is a member of both the International Section and Programs Committee of the New York International Arbitration Center, as well as being selected as a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Additionally, he was recognized by Super Lawyers magazine from 2007 – 2023 and also listed among The Best Lawyers in America(r) for his expertise in International Arbitration.

John’s Experience

John Pierce is an esteemed international attorney renowned for representing clients in complex international arbitration and litigation proceedings, both domestically and abroad. His clients range from individuals, as well as domestic and foreign businesses engaged in global transactions of varying industries.

His practice encompasses sophisticated criminal defense and civil litigation matters related to antitrust, securities fraud, international trade disputes and commercial disputes. He has significant experience representing large domestic and international corporations, financial institutions and foreign sovereign governments in complex commercial litigation matters.

John has extensive experience handling whistleblower cases and public corruption matters, having served as a former Federal prosecutor with extensive trial and appellate experience. John holds memberships at the American Bar Association, New York City Bar Association, and International Law Association.

John has extensive international dispute resolution experience representing clients in institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings under both common law and civil law jurisdictions. He possesses considerable expertise in high-stakes disputes related to international trade, investment and energy issues as well as transactions involving ports, airports, toll roads and other infrastructure projects.

John was hired during the Capitol riots by several individuals associated with Oath Keepers extremist group and Proud Boys militia, prompting prosecutors to voice concerns that too many clients could present conflicts of interests.

At the same time, Pierce has been advocating on his clients’ behalf by alleging that the government is violating their rights and vowing to fight until the very end for their rights.

Recently, Ryan Marshall of his firm stood in his stead at one of his Capitol riot client hearings as he was hospitalized with COVID-19.

Prosecutors have informed judges that they do not know whether Pierce is healthy enough to continue representing his clients in ongoing court proceedings. They have requested an investigation into his health, citing concerns over his increasing number of cases and an explanation as to when and why he will return.