Elizabeth G. Oyer

Elizabeth (Liz) Oyer was appointed to serve as Pardon Attorney in April 2022.  She brings to the position a depth of experience representing defendants in the federal criminal legal system, which shaped her understanding of the vital role that clemency plays in creating opportunities for second chances.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Oyer spent 10 years as a federal public defender.  She served as Senior Litigation Counsel to the Federal Public Defender for the District of Maryland, where she represented individuals at all stages of proceedings and in all types of criminal cases in federal district court.  In addition, she was the Office’s ethics advisor, discovery policy coordinator, and a mentor to junior attorneys.

Previously, Ms. Oyer was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Mayer Brown LLP, where she practiced civil and criminal litigation at both the trial and appellate levels.  She also maintained an active pro bono practice.

Ms. Oyer received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.  She received her law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.  She was an Executive Editor of the Harvard Law Review and a member of the winning team of the Ames Moot Court Competition, in which she was awarded Best Oralist.  Ms. Oyer clerked for the Honorable Stanley Marcus, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Ms. Oyer is the first former public defender to be appointed Pardon Attorney. She is committed to ensuring the fairness, accessibility, and transparency of the clemency process for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Dates of Service: 
2022 - Present