Pit Bull lawyer Barry Pollack is defending Maduro in U.S. court.

Barry Pollack, a Washington trial lawyer nicknamed 'Pit Bull,' is representing Nicolás Maduro in a Manhattan federal case and plans to challenge the legality of Maduro's capture and assert state-immunity claims; the judge set the next hearing for mid-March.

Barry Pollack, a Washington-based trial lawyer nicknamed "Pit Bull," is representing ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a Manhattan federal court after Maduro and his wife were captured in an overnight military raid and brought to the U.S. Colleagues say Pollack's mild public manner belies a persistent, detail-focused courtroom style. At the arraignment, Pollack told the judge he intends to challenge the legality of Maduro's capture and argue that Maduro is entitled to immunity and privileges as a head of state. The judge set the next hearing for mid-March. Key points: - Pollack filed a notice with the court that he was representing Maduro hours before the hearing, and it was not disclosed how he was retained. - He indicated he will challenge the legality of Maduro's capture and press claims of sovereign immunity and related privileges. - Legal precedent from the Manuel Noriega case will be relevant, where an appeals court relied in part on whether the U.S. recognized the defendant as a legitimate head of state. - Pollack's career highlights include negotiating a plea deal for Julian Assange, securing an acquittal for a former Enron executive, and achieving mistrials in a chicken company price-fixing prosecution that led to dropped charges. - Colleagues describe his courtroom approach as steady and relentless rather than theatrical. Summary: Pollack's experience with complex, high-profile defenses means the case could raise novel questions about recognition and state immunity and may unfold over an extended period. The next scheduled court appearance is set for mid-March.