John Piro: From Army Medic to Public Defender

In this episode of Edutainment Learning, students connect with John, a United States Army veteran, former combat medic, and now an Assistant Public Defender and legislative advocate in Nevada who is working to make the justice system more fair and compassionate. John’s journey began on the training fields of the U.S. Army, where he served as a combat medic and later led a squad of medics as a sergeant. Those experiences taught him that true leadership is not about rank or titles—it’s about standing beside people when they need someone most. After returning home to Las Vegas, John became the first in his family to attend college. He earned his Criminal Justice degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and went on to receive his law degree from the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law. Today, John serves as an Assistant Public Defender, representing individuals who often feel overlooked or forgotten by society. Through his work in the courtroom and in the Nevada Legislature, he has helped support some of the most significant criminal justice reforms in Nevada in decades, advocating for dignity, fairness, and second chances. He also helped launch the Clean Slate program at Boyd Law, which helps people clear their records and rebuild their lives—while teaching law students what justice looks like when it is rooted in humanity.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!