Former U.S. attorney joins Barnes & Thornburg

Josh Minkler, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, has joined Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis where he will be part of the firm’s white-collar and investigations practice group.

The announcement of the hire came days after Minkler announced he was stepping down as a federal prosecutor.

Minkler announced his resignation as U.S. attorney on Nov. 18, saying that he was moving to the private sector but did not identify the law firm he was joining. At Barnes, he will focus his practice on white-collar criminal defense, compliance, internal investigations and complex business litigation.

“Josh is a consummate professional who has a passion for justice and the legal process that translates effortlessly to the complex white collar matters our clients are facing,” said Randy Brown, chair of Barnes’ litigation department.

Minkler is the fifth former U.S. attorney to join the firm since 2015. Altogether, Barnes has 17 former U.S. Department of Justice attorneys in its litigation department.

The white collar and investigations practice group handles criminal and civil defense of government investigations and internal investigations. Also, the group has been called on by the federal government to manage complex monitorships of U.S. and international corporations. In June, the firm opened an office in New York to grow its corporate, litigation and white-collar practices.

As a federal prosecutor, Minkler tried more than 20 cases before juries in the Southern District of Indiana. In addition, he prepared and argued dozens of appeals before the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Josh’s trial and appeals experience is second only to his stellar reputation as a dedicated and skilled attorney,” said Brian Burdick, managing partner of the Indianapolis office. “With his federal court experience and agency savvy, he is a splendid addition to our team.”

A Muncie native, Minkler became U.S. Attorney in June 2015 after Joe Hogsett resigned to run for mayor of Indianapolis. When Donald Trump moved into the White House, Minkler retained his position as the federal prosecutor for the Southern Indiana District after the U.S. Senate confirmed him on a voice vote.

Earning a law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Minkler started his career in Michigan where he was an attorney with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan and an assistant prosecutor in the Office of the Kent County Prosecuting Attorney in Grand Rapids.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Childress is serving as Southern District acting U.S. attorney after Minkler’s departure.