Background
Mr. Burns’ practice focuses on commercial litigation, employment, and construction law. He represents clients in state and federal courts, as well as mediations and arbitrations, throughout the state of Iowa. In construction, Mr. Burns represents general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and design professionals in a wide variety of construction disputes. Mr. Burns also represents and counsels businesses in complex litigation and appeals. He has served as lead counsel in numerous jury and bench trials and has argued before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court, and the Iowa Court of Appeals. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Burns served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Harold D. Vietor, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.
Assistant: Sherwin
Assistant's Phone: 319-358-5565
Assistant Email: Slacsa@bradleyriley.com
Practice Areas
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree, University of Northern Iowa, 1989
- Juris Doctorate with high honors, University of Iowa College of Law, 1993
- Articles Editor, Iowa Law Review, Vol. 78
- Order of the Coif
Bar Admissions
- Iowa State Courts
- United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Recognition
- Named 2017 “Lawyer of the Year” in Cedar Rapids for Construction Law by Best Lawyers®
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation and Construction Law since 2013
- Listed in Great Plains Super Lawyers® for Business Litigation, Construction Litigation, and Labor & Employment
- Listed in Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Litigation: General Commercial
- AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure
- Member (2014-2017)
- American Bar Association
- Construction Industry Forum
- Litigation Selection
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Construction Law Selection Council
- Federal Practice Committee, Chair (2006-2008)
- E-Commerce Section Council, Chair (2005-2006)
- Linn County Bar Association
- Johnson County Bar Association
Civic and Volunteer Involvement
- Iowa City Area Development Group, Board Member
- Englert Theatre Board of Directors, Past President
Professional Experience
- Joined Bradley & Riley PC in 1997
- Bradley & Riley PC Board of Directors
- Law clerk to the Honorable Harold D. Vietor, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa
- Completed the National Trial Advocacy Skills Program presented by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy