ALBANY COUNTY — Christopher D. Horn, an assistant district attorney for Albany County who heads the Legal Affairs Bureau, received the 2015 Robert M. Morgenthau Award from the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. Horn was given the prestigious award at the association’s annual winter conference in Manhattan last week.

The award is named after legendary Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and is presented each year to four assistant district attorneys from four designated regions of the state, each of whom exemplify Morgenthau’s high standard of honesty, integrity, and commitment to justice.

“Chris Horn has demonstrated an unbroken dedication to the ethical standards and principles of our profession for over 20 years,” said District Attorney David Soares in a release from his office. “He is an advocate for the citizens of Albany County, and a champion of the institution of district attorney.  Those qualities, and his involvement with advocating for state policy, made him an obvious choice for this prestigious award.”

Horn, 47, has been an assistant district attorney for 21 years.

He graduated from Union College in Schenectady in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree in English.  He received his juris doctor degree from Cardozo Law School in Manhattan in 1993. 

After interning with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office from 1991 through 1994, Horn was hired as an Assistant District Attorney in the Appeals Bureau upon his admission to the New York State Bar in January 1994.

In 2001, Horn was promoted to chief of the Appeals Bureau.  In 2005, he was named chief of the newly formed Legal Affairs Bureau.  In 2007, in addition to his role as bureau chief, Horn was asked to serve as special counsel to the district attorney.

In addition to managing the operation of the Legal Affairs Bureau and advising Soares on legal and policy matters, Horn currently represents the office on the District Attorneys Association’s Legislative and Appellate Committees.  Horn has recently been contributing to amicus briefs filed on behalf of the association.

Horn has also served on the New York Prosecutors Training Institute’s advisory panel for development of a statewide Prosecutor’s Case Management System.  He has also taught courses for the institute at its annual Summer College for prosecutors.  

Horn has also provided training for the Albany Police Department and other local police agencies.  For many years, Horn has participated in the Legal Lives program, where members of the office teach fifth- and sixth-graders about the criminal justice system and help them to make responsible life decisions.  

“Chris has been an invaluable resource in the office for decades,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney David Rossi in the release. “Whether it is providing his guidance during our trials, or protecting our verdicts at the appellate level, his expertise is unparalleled.  I’m happy to see his value recognized statewide.”