George Milner III has built a distinguished career as a trial attorney, commencing his journey under the guidance of District Attorney John Vance. From the outset, Milner showcased his courtroom prowess by taking on his first jury trial on the very day he obtained his legal license. In a notable trial against the esteemed Randy Taylor, lasting over a week, Milner emerged victorious. This early success set the tone for his fearless approach to handling challenging cases.
In the early months of 1994, Milner transitioned from the District Attorney's Office to join his father, George Milner Jr., where he began defending individuals accused of the same offenses he once prosecuted. Interestingly, some of those he had previously prosecuted now sought him as their defense attorney. One of his clients aptly remarked, "I realized during that first trial when you prosecuted me that I needed you as my lawyer." During his tenure as a prosecutor, Milner cultivated strong bonds with many law enforcement officers who admired his assertive courtroom style. In a turn of events, numerous officers facing criminal charges themselves sought his representation. A well-known saying emerged within the law enforcement community: "If you're in trouble, call Milner." Over the years, Milner has successfully represented approximately two dozen state and federal law enforcement officers, with nearly all cases resulting in acquittals, dismissals, or no-bills by the Grand Jury.
Milner's expertise extends beyond the courtroom, as he has been a sought-after lecturer, delivering talks throughout Texas and beyond. His lectures cover various criminal trial topics, with a particular focus on cross-examination and voir dire. After one of his jury selections, a trial court bailiff humorously quipped, "Milner has already won this trial, and the prosecutors don't even know it."
In addition to his criminal defense work, Milner has also represented numerous attorneys. He has been called upon by prominent civil firms to assist with civil suits involving criminal liability issues. Furthermore, civil firms have retained Milner to represent their clients or employees facing criminal accusations, recognizing that a criminal conviction could jeopardize their civil cases.
Milner's reputation has grown significantly over the course of his career. He has made appearances on Court TV three times, providing valuable insights and opinions on pending litigation nationwide. He has been honored as one of Dallas' Best Lawyers by D Magazine on two occasions, and Texas Monthly Magazine has recently recognized him as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in the field of white-collar criminal defense. His A-V rating by Martindale-Hubbell reflects his high legal ability and ethical standards.
In contrast to most trial attorneys, Milner also handles appeals for individuals. While appellate success in state or federal court is often elusive, Milner has achieved considerable success in this arena, beginning with a victory in his very first appeal. However, he acknowledges that the odds and political climate make consistent success on appeal challenging. This reinforces his belief, shared by many accomplished criminal defense attorneys, that winning in the trial court is paramount.
Milner's academic achievements are notable, having graduated summa cum laude and being a member of the Law Review. He earned four scholarships for academic excellence and participated in two national moot court teams. He was a Merit Scholar, a member of the Order of Barristers, and received five American Jurisprudence awards.
Currently, Milner serves as a Director for both the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association and the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Milner is admitted to practice before various courts, including the Texas Supreme Court, U.S. District Court – Northern District of Texas, U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Professional Experience:
• 2002-Present: Milner & Finn
- Specializing in white-collar litigation, criminal trial, and appellate work in both State and Federal Courts.
• 1994-2002: Milner, Goranson, Sorrels, Udashen & Wells
- Engaged in criminal trial and appellate practice in both State and Federal Courts.
• 1992-1994: Assistant District Attorney, Dallas County District Attorney's Office, Dallas, Texas
- Served as a Prosecutor in the Criminal Trial Division.
Professional Recognitions:
• Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell (Highest rating)
• Named "Texas Super Lawyer," Texas Monthly (2004-2020)
• Named "Best Lawyers in Dallas," D Magazine (Over ten times from 2003-2019)
• Named "Best Lawyers in Dallas Under 40," D Magazine (2002)
• Named "Dallas Top DWI Defense Attorney," Dallas Observer (2008)
Professional Memberships:
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute
