Harter, Secrest & Emery associate receives NY State Bar Assn.'s

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), Jan 26, 2004 by Staff

John G. Horn didn't get to live out his dream of being able to look over his shoulder to see Michael Jordan running down the court ready to catch an alley-oop pass. The only court he walks on these days is one with judges and jurors when he appears on behalf of clients.

On Jan. 28, he'll look over his shoulder as colleagues from throughout the state recognize him with the New York State Bar Association's Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award. Horn, an associate in the Buffalo office of the law firm of Harter, Secrest & Emery, LLP, will be recognized for his contributions to the betterment of the community and the legal profession. The award will be presented during the NYSBA's 127th annual meeting in New York City.

Horn received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester (1989), was awarded a law degree, cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law (1998), and earned a masters degree from Northwestern University (2000). He concentrates his law practice in commercial litigation as well as product liability, employment discrimination, personal injury, and patent and trademark infringement.

John Horn's selfless devotion to public service and commitment to professionalism are the hallmarks of a young lawyer, said Gregory J. Amoroso chair of the 3,000-member Young Lawyers Section. He is a prime example of a young lawyer who provides leadership in serving the public and the profession, and promoting excellence and fulfillment in the practice of law.

The YLS promotes involvement of young lawyers in public service projects that increase access to justice and the public's knowledge of the law. Following law school, Horn worked as a confidential law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge John Elfvin and then joined Harter Secrest in 2000.

Asked what advice he had for new attorneys, Horn said, As a lawyer, you have the privilege of making a difference, somewhere, somehow. Don't squander that opportunity.

Horn is the founding member and vice president of Lawyers for Learning, an organization which has helped to pair more than 300 members of the legal community with students from Buffalo's inner- city School 18 in one-on-one weekly tutoring sessions. He's also served as a tutor for four years.

Other charities and non-profit organizations to which Horn volunteers his time include Habitat for Humanity, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and American Diabetes Association.

In 2002, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York awarded him a special recognition for his pro bono work involving a prisoner civil rights case which took two years to resolve. His efforts, and that of a fellow attorney, resulted in the review and improvement of procedures for prisoners confined in administrative segregation. In July, 2003, he prevailed in a federal court trial in another assigned counsel prisoner civil rights action.

His professional memberships include the Bar Association of Erie County, American and New York State Bar associations. As a regular continuing legal education presenter, he has lectured throughout Western New York on subjects dealing with ethics and protecting trade secrets.