Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
George E. Horn, Jr., navigates complex litigation, steering clients through white collar criminal matters and major product liability actions. With a track record of 170+ trials since 1987, George brings battle-tested courtroom skills to each engagement, defending clients before federal and state courts across the country. His background as a prosecutor has resulted in a dual perspective that frequently proves invaluable to those he serves today.
In the white collar arena, George's work spans Fortune 500 companies to individual clients, guiding them through investigations and prosecutions. His proactive approach to shielding clients from attack often helps them implement preventative measures, averting legal pitfalls before they arise. This forward-thinking strategy extends to his product liability practice, where he has defended major corporations against claims nationwide.
Licensed in Indiana and Michigan, George is admitted to practice before multiple federal courts. He has defended the rights of major manufacturing companies that have faced product liability actions throughout the country. Prior to entering private practice, he was a member of the prosecution team that convicted Mike Tyson of rape and represented the company from which Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols stole explosives used to blow up the Oklahoma City Federal Building through the initial investigation and three trials held in federal and state courts.
George's practice reaches across state lines, demonstrating his versatility in multiple legal jurisdictions. He is a member of the core team assisting the Special Compliance Coordinator appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to monitor, assess and report on the U.S. export control compliance of Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, of Shenzhen, China, and ZTE Kangxun Telecommunications Ltd. of Hi-New Shenzhen, China (collectively, ZTE).
George also shares his insights through lectures and educational programs. His commentary on high-profile criminal cases has been featured across national media outlets—a testament to his reputation and skills.
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Founder White Collar Crime Practice Group. Represent major corporations, professionals and small businesses in defense of criminal investigations in State and Federal Courts. Defend Fortune 500 companies in product liability matters involving property damage to multiple fatality cases throughout the country. Defend class action claims on behalf of major manufacturers.
Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Marion, Indiana
(appointed)Indiana
Prosecute major drug, homicide and forfeiture cases. Member of trial team that convicted Heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson of rape.
Cass County Prosecutor's Office, Cass County, Indiana
(appointed)Indiana
Prosecute wide variety of criminal matters including major drug, homicide and white collar cases.
April 2025
Barnes & Thornburg represented counseling center in its motion to quash state's subpoena for counseling records in a prosecution for murder. On interlocutory appeal of trial court's grant of the motion, the Indiana Supreme Court partially affirmed grant of motion. The United States government, acting through the Department of Justice Environmental Crimes Section, the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, filed a 26-count criminal indictment against United Water Services, Inc. (United Water), one of the country’s largest water and wastewater treatment companies, and two of its managers, Dwain Bowie and Gregory Ciaccio; alleging that the defendants tampered with legally required monitoring methods while managing the Gary Wastewater Treatment Facility for the City of Gary from 2003 to 2008, thus violating the Clean Water Act. On November 9, 2012, after a two-week trial in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, which followed a four-year federal government investigation led by the EPA, the FBI and the Department of Justice, a federal jury acquitted United Water and the two managers of all allegations. The prosecutions marked the first time the government brought tampering charges without proof of actual alteration of compliance samples. Judge Simon accepted the Barnes & Thornburg team’s proposed definitions of what constitutes tampering under the Clean Water Act. The verdict represents a complete vindication for the company and the accused individuals, avoids multi-million dollar fines and penalties, as well as possible imprisonment for the employees, and prevents a potentially business-ending debarment from future waste water and drinking water treatment business within the United States. Leading the defense were partners Larry Mackey, Patrick Cotter and Harold Bickham, with primary assistance from partner George Horn and assistance throughout the trial by associates Tim Haley and Meredith Rieger. United States v. United Water Services, Inc. , Dwain Bowie and Gregory Ciaccio, Case No.
Barnes & Thornburg
January 2024
The Best Lawyers in America® has named more than 250 Barnes & Thornburg lawyers to its 2024 edition. Our attorneys were recognized in more than 600 listings in a number of legal practice areas.