The deposed Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, will be represented by a seasoned Washington legal veteran as he stands trial in New York on serious drugs and weapons charges. The lawyer, Barry Pollack, is best known for his successful defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and is described by peers as a figure who "reeks credibility".
The veteran lawyer taking on a global case
Barry Pollack stood beside Nicolas Maduro in a Manhattan federal court on 5 January 2026 as the former leader pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy. Maduro was extradited to the United States following a controversial US military operation, a move Pollack has signalled he will contest as an unlawful "military abduction".
Pollack is a partner at the boutique New York law firm Harris St Laurent & Weschler LLP, with a career spanning more than 30 years. A graduate of Indiana University and Georgetown University Law School, he has built a reputation in elite legal circles as a thorough and dedicated trial lawyer.
Andy Birrell, president of the National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers, told Sky News via NBC that Pollack is a veteran who has handled high-profile cases before. "He's a person that absolutely reeks credibility," Birrell said. "I think that Barry's a person who presents as someone who is trying to get at the truth and people like that, they respect that."
A history of high-profile defences
One of Barry Pollack's most notable previous cases was representing Julian Assange. In 2024, after months of negotiation, Pollack struck a plea deal that allowed the WikiLeaks founder to walk free from a British prison. Assange pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified information before returning to his native Australia.
Pollack argued then that his client should never have been charged under the Espionage Act, framing the case as a critical test for free speech rights. His other career successes include securing a complete acquittal for Michael Krautz, a former Enron accountant, and having the wrongful murder convictions of Martin Tankleff overturned after 17 years in prison.
The legal battle ahead for Maduro
During Maduro's arraignment, Pollack indicated that the defence would challenge the legality of the US operation to capture his client. He stated that Maduro, as the head of a sovereign state, is entitled to certain privileges, though he did not immediately request his release.
The trial of the former Venezuelan president is expected to be closely watched globally and will likely involve complex legal challenges. Pollack's extensive experience in federal court and with politically charged cases will be central to the defence's strategy.
Meanwhile, Maduro's wife and former first lady, Cilia Flores, is being represented by Houston-based lawyer Mark Donnelly. In court, Donnelly stated that Flores sustained significant injuries, including severe rib bruising, during her capture and requested medical evaluation. She was pictured with visible bandages on her forehead and temple.
