Using his new criminal defense lawyer, sharply worded new court filings—including a motion to dismiss—and public events such as a rally held outside his home Friday, controversial lawyer Steven Donziger is continuing to mount a fierce, if unconventional, fight against criminal contempt-of-court charges.

Facing up to six months in prison and a Jan. 19 bench trial, Donziger, who in 2011 won an $8.6 billion pollution-damage judgment in Ecuador against the oil company Chevron—which has never been collected on and which has indirectly led to him facing contempt charges—is pushing back with court filings and public displays aimed primarily at the judges involved in the contempt matter. His campaign has included criticizing and protesting against U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York, who presides over the contempt case and is set to handle the trial.