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Prior
to his involvement in civil practice, Mr. Horn served as the first African-American
Major Crimes Prosecutor in the State Attorney's Office of the Eleventh Judicial
Circuit of Florida where he received several awards. As a prosecutor for more
than seven years, Mr. Horn tried approximately twenty-five homicide cases and
prosecuted other crimes ranging from capital sexual batteries, robberies and burglaries
to grand thefts and forgeries. Mr. Horn has also handled major investigations
including an Executive Assignment from then Florida Governor, Bob Martinez, to
look into the 1968 prosecution of James Joseph Richardson, a Black male migrant
farm worker who was wrongfully charged with the murder of his seven children.
As a result of the investigation Mr. Richardson was released from prison in 1989
after serving more than 20 years in prison.
After
leaving the State Attorney's Office n 1990, Mr. Horn practiced law with the firm
of Shutts & Bowen. He was selected as the first African-American to ever hold
the position of equity partner at this 100-person, 80 year old law firm. While
at Shutts & Bowen, Mr. Horn obtained additional trial experience in franchise
litigation, insurance defense, employment discrimination, lender liability suits
and general commercial litigation.
In
January 1995, Mr. Horn, along with four other former equity partners of Shutts
& Bowen founded the law firm of Gallwey Gillman Curtis Vento & Horn, P.A.
At GGCVH, Mr. Horn was involved in all phases of litigation in various areas of
commercial law and for most of those years specialized in franchise litigation.
While working at the firm, Mr. Horn was recognized in South Florida' s Legal Guide
as one of South Florida' s Top Lawyers in the area of Franchise Law. (January,
2001 and 2002 edition)
Mr.
Horn was also involved in major litigation while at GGCVH. Starting in February
1995, Mr. Horn and his firm represented the Black Business Association and the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Dade County Chapter,
as interveners in the lawsuit styled Engineering Contractors Association of South
Florida et. al. v. Metropolitan Dade County, et.al.,Case No. 94-1 848-CIV-RYSKAMP.
This lawsuit targeted Dade County's Minority Business Enterprise program, which
was created to provide work for minority general contractors and subcontractors
who performed construction work in Dade County. Mr. Horn and his office worked
along with the Assistant County Attorneys for Dade County in the trial and appeal
of Judge Ryskamp's decision. In the aftermath of the ruling finding Dade County's
Minority Business Enterprise Program (BBE, HBE, and WEE) unconstitutional, Mr.
Horn continued to work with the Assistant County Attorneys, Dade County's Department
of Business Development and others in the development of what is now, Dade County's
Small Business Enterprise Program.
Although
Don Horn is best known for his involvement in the celebrated State vs. William
Lozano trial, Don spends much of his time giving back to the community. In this
connection, Don's commitment to our community includes numerous speaking engagements
aimed at leading elementary, high school and college students to more meaningful
careers. He has also conducted lectures and workshops on various trial techniques
both in the workplace and nationally.
Don
presently serves on the Board of Governors for The Florida Bar, is Chair of the
Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County, and a member of the Miami-Dade
Affordable Housing Foundation. Don has served as past President of the Board of
Directors for Legal Services of Greater Miami, past Chair of the Dade-Miami Criminal
Justice Council, and member of the Guardian Ad Litem Executive Council. In 1992,
he was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to serve on the Judicial Nominating
Commission. Mr. Horn was the first African-American lawyer to receive a gubernatorial
appointment to serve in such a capacity in the 11th Judicial Circuit and the first
African- American attorney to serve as Chairman of a Judicial Nominating Commission
in the State of Florida and for the 11th Circuit. In each of these positions he
played, or has taken, a leadership role. Mr. Horn also serves as a faculty member
for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), which trains attorneys to
improve their trial skills.
Don
was also at the forefront of this community's success in the 1990 reapportionment
and redistricting process. As a result of his efforts and those of the Dade County
Fair Reapportionment Task Force which he Chaired, Congressional Districts for
Dade County were drawn which resulted in an African- American from South Florida
being placed in Congress for the first time in nearly 100 years.
Perhaps
Don's greatest commitment to the community and his family is demonstrated through
his commitment to his church. As a member of the Deacon Board, Board of Trustees
(Co-Chairman), Scholarship Committee and Legal Advisor for the church, Don freely
shares his expertise with his church. For more than 18 years he has served as
the church musician (plays the organ and piano), the director for three of the
church's choir groups, and teacher of an adult Sunday school class.
Finally,
Don is married. He and his wife Rita, have one 13 year old daughter, Adrienne
and a 9 year old son, Don Avery.
Address:
Don
L. Horn
Chief Assistant State Attorney for Administration
Office of The
State Attorney
E. R. Graham Building
1350 N.W. 12th Avenue
Miami,
Florida 33136-2111
305-547-0564
305-547-0534 Facsimile
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