Liz Oyer served as U.S. Pardon Attorney from April 2022 to March 2025, reviewing federal clemency applications and advising the President on pardons and commutations. She previously worked as a Federal Public Defender for nearly 10 years.
Elizabeth “Liz” Oyer made headlines during her tenure as U.S. Pardon Attorney, a critical role that bridges federal criminal justice and presidential clemency powers. From April 2022 to March 2025, she led the Office of the Pardon Attorney, reviewing thousands of clemency applications and providing recommendations directly to the President.
Her career trajectory from Federal Public Defender to the nation’s top clemency official offers insights into federal criminal justice reform and the complex world of presidential pardons.
Table of Contents
Liz Oyer’s Background and Legal Career
Liz Oyer built her legal foundation through prestigious institutions and diverse experience. She earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and completed undergraduate studies at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.
Her legal career began with a federal clerkship for Judge Stanley Marcus of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. This experience provided deep exposure to federal appellate procedures and constitutional law principles that would later inform her clemency work.
After her clerkship, Oyer joined Mayer Brown LLP, a major international law firm, where she worked in litigation practice and eventually became a partner. Her private practice experience included complex federal litigation, white-collar defense, and appellate advocacy.
The transition from private practice to public service marked a significant shift in Oyer’s career priorities. She left her partnership to serve as a Federal Public Defender, representing defendants in federal criminal cases for nearly 10 years.
- Elite legal education at Harvard Law School and Georgetown University
- Federal appellate court clerkship provided constitutional law expertise
- Partnership-level experience at a major law firm before entering public service
Role as U.S. Pardon Attorney (2022-2025)
The Office of the Pardon Attorney handles all federal clemency matters, making it one of the most consequential positions in criminal justice. Oyer’s appointment in April 2022 came during a period of renewed focus on clemency reform and criminal justice policy.
As Pardon Attorney, Oyer oversaw the review of clemency petitions from individuals across the country. Her office evaluated applications for four types of relief: pardons, commutations of sentence, remission of fines, and reprieves. Each case required thorough legal analysis, victim input consideration, and assessment of the applicant’s rehabilitation.
The position required balancing competing interests. Oyer’s office had to consider public safety, victim rights, prosecutorial input, and the applicant’s circumstances. Her recommendations carried significant weight with presidents making final clemency decisions.
During her tenure, Oyer processed applications during both the Biden and Trump administrations. This unique position allowed her to observe different presidential approaches to clemency, including Trump’s January 6th pardons and Biden’s marijuana possession pardons.
Her Federal Public Defender background brought a different perspective to the role. Unlike previous Pardon Attorneys who often came from prosecutorial backgrounds, Oyer understood the defense side of federal criminal cases firsthand.
- Reviewed thousands of clemency applications from federal prisoners and former offenders
- Provided direct recommendations to presidents on life-changing clemency decisions
- Brought a unique defense attorney perspective to the traditionally prosecutor-dominated role
The Office of the Pardon Attorney Explained
The Office of the Pardon Attorney operates under the Deputy Attorney General’s oversight within the Justice Department. This small but powerful office processes all federal clemency requests before they reach the President’s desk.
Federal clemency applications must meet specific criteria before review. Applicants typically must wait five years after sentence completion before applying for pardons. Commutation applications can be submitted during incarceration but require extraordinary circumstances.
The office employs attorneys who conduct thorough investigations of each petition. They review court records, prison files, victim statements, and community support letters. FBI background checks verify current conduct and assess public safety risks.
Oyer’s office coordinated with multiple agencies during reviews. They consulted with federal prosecutors who handled original cases, prison officials overseeing incarcerated applicants, and probation officers supervising released individuals.
The review process under Oyer emphasized rehabilitation evidence and community support. Her office looked for concrete examples of positive change, such as educational achievements, employment history, community service, and family stability.
Statistical data shows the office processed approximately 3,000-5,000 applications annually during Oyer’s tenure. However, presidential grants remained rare, with fewer than 100 clemencies typically granted each year across all categories.
- Small federal office with an outsized impact on criminal justice outcomes
- Rigorous multi-agency review process ensures thorough vetting of applications
- Presidential clemency grants remain statistically rare despite thousands of applications
Key Accomplishments and Controversies
Oyer’s tenure as Pardon Attorney coincided with several high-profile clemency decisions that shaped her legacy. Her office processed Biden’s categorical pardons for federal marijuana possession offenses, affecting thousands of individuals with simple possession convictions.
The marijuana pardons represented a departure from traditional case-by-case review. Instead of individual applications, the President issued blanket pardons based on offense categories. Oyer’s office provided legal analysis supporting this approach and helped implement the policy.
Her dismissal in March 2025 following Trump’s return to office generated significant controversy. Critics argued her removal was politically motivated, while supporters of the administration cited policy differences over clemency priorities.
Congressional testimony following her dismissal highlighted concerns about political interference in clemency decisions. Oyer testified about the importance of maintaining institutional independence in clemency reviews, regardless of changing presidential administrations.
Her advocacy background influenced her approach to the role. Unlike previous Pardon Attorneys who maintained lower public profiles, Oyer spoke publicly about clemency reform and criminal justice policy. This visibility drew both praise from reform advocates and criticism from those preferring traditional bureaucratic discretion.
The controversy surrounding January 6th-related pardons also affected her tenure. While Oyer’s office processed these applications, the ultimate decisions reflected presidential prerogatives rather than traditional clemency criteria.
- Oversaw the implementation of historic categorical marijuana pardons affecting thousands
- Removal following an administration change highlighted the political nature of the position
- Public advocacy for clemency reform departed from the traditional low-profile approach
Federal Clemency Process Under Oyer’s Leadership
Oyer implemented several procedural reforms during her tenure as Pardon Attorney. Her office emphasized clearer communication with applicants about process timelines and decision rationales.
The traditional clemency application required extensive documentation, including court records, character references, and personal statements. Oyer’s office developed additional guidance helping applicants understand requirements and improve application quality.
Her background as a Federal Public Defender informed process improvements. She understood the challenges faced by individuals with federal convictions and worked to make the clemency process more accessible without compromising thoroughness.
Technology updates under her leadership included better case tracking systems and improved communication with applicants. These changes reduced processing delays and provided clearer status updates for pending applications.
Victim input remained a crucial component of clemency reviews. Oyer’s office maintained requirements for victim notification and consideration of victim statements in all cases where victims could be identified and contacted.
The office also emphasized post-conviction conduct analysis. Rather than focusing solely on original offense details, reviews under Oyer gave greater weight to evidence of rehabilitation, community contributions, and changed circumstances.
Training programs for office attorneys emphasized constitutional principles underlying clemency powers. Oyer stressed that clemency served as a constitutional check on judicial sentences and prosecutorial decisions, requiring careful legal analysis.
- Procedural reforms improved communication and application guidance for petitioners
- Technology upgrades reduced processing delays and improved case tracking
- Enhanced focus on rehabilitation evidence, balanced with traditional public safety considerations
Career After the Justice Department
Following her departure from the Justice Department in March 2025, Oyer transitioned to advocacy work and public speaking. She joined Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights as an attorney and justice advocate, continuing her criminal justice reform work.
Her Substack newsletter, “Lawyer Oyer,” provides commentary on criminal justice issues, clemency policy, and legal developments. The platform allows her to maintain public engagement with criminal justice reform advocacy.
Speaking engagements have included academic conferences, legal organizations, and reform advocacy groups. Her presentations focus on clemency reform, federal criminal justice policy, and the intersection of law and politics.
Oyer’s experience as Pardon Attorney provides unique insights into federal clemency that few attorneys possess. This expertise makes her a valuable resource for individuals and organizations working on clemency issues.
Her advocacy focuses on systemic criminal justice reform rather than individual case representation. She emphasizes policy changes that could make federal clemency more accessible and effective.
The transition from government service to private advocacy allows Oyer greater freedom to critique federal criminal justice policies and propose reforms. Her insider knowledge of clemency processes informs her reform proposals.
- Continued criminal justice advocacy through Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
- Public commentary via Substack newsletter reaches broader reform audience
- Speaking engagements leverage unique clemency expertise for policy advocacy
Pardon Attorney Role vs. Federal Public Defender
| Aspect | Pardon Attorney | Federal Public Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Reviews clemency petitions, advises the President | Represents defendants in federal criminal cases |
| Client Base | Post-conviction petitioners nationwide | Pre-trial and trial defendants in a specific district |
| Decision Authority | Recommendations to the President | Advocates within the judicial system |
| Case Volume | 3,000-5,000 applications annually | 100-200 active cases are typically |
| Success Metrics | Presidential grants (typically <100/year) | Case dismissals, acquittals, reduced sentences |
| Political Exposure | High-profile presidential decisions | Lower public visibility |
| Career Path | Typically, from the prosecutor ranks | Often, career public defenders |
| Oversight | Deputy Attorney General | Chief Public Defender, court-appointed |
FAQs
What qualifications are required to become a Pardon Attorney?
No specific statutory qualifications exist, but appointees typically have extensive federal criminal law experience, constitutional law expertise, and senior-level legal management skills.
How long does the federal clemency process take?
Applications typically take 12-24 months for initial review, with additional time for presidential consideration. Complex cases may take longer.
Can attorneys help with clemency applications?
Yes, though representation is not required. Many successful applicants proceed without attorneys, while others benefit from legal assistance with documentation and presentation.
What types of federal crimes are eligible for clemency?
All federal criminal convictions are potentially eligible, though violent crimes and offenses involving public corruption face greater scrutiny during review.
How many clemency applications succeed each year?
Presidential grants typically number fewer than 100 annually from thousands of applications, making federal clemency statistically rare but legally significant when granted.
