Like many talented young lawyers, Thomas A. Burns, the founding shareholder of Burns, P.A., began his legal career by clerking for a federal appellate judge and toiling for almost a decade in the appellate departments of large, respected law firms, such as Sidley Austin, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Hill, Ward & Henderson, and Greenberg Traurig.
During that time, Thomas had the opportunity to work alongside appellate luminaries, such as Carter Phillips and Ted Olson, and to brief many significant appeals in the Supreme Court of the United States and other federal appellate or state supreme courts.
In 2012, however, Thomas left that big firm life and founded Burns, P.A. with a unique vision in mind: to offer individuals and small- or medium-sized businesses the appellate services of a highly credentialed and experienced large law firm, but along with the affordable fees and personalized care of a smaller law firm.As the firm has grown, our priorities have remained the same.We are a law firm that enjoys the storytelling aspect of appellate practice.
During that time, Thomas had the opportunity to work alongside appellate luminaries, such as Carter Phillips and Ted Olson, and to brief many significant appeals in the Supreme Court of the United States and other federal appellate or state supreme courts.
In 2012, however, Thomas left that big firm life and founded Burns, P.A. with a unique vision in mind: to offer individuals and small- or medium-sized businesses the appellate services of a highly credentialed and experienced large law firm, but along with the affordable fees and personalized care of a smaller law firm.As the firm has grown, our priorities have remained the same.We are a law firm that enjoys the storytelling aspect of appellate practice.
Services
IIn recognition of our contributions to appellate practice, our lawyers have received numerous awards.
Similarly, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Florida Trend selected Thomas to its "legal elite" in appellate practice.
Additionally, our attorneys have a demonstrated commitment to pro bono service.
Thomas was the recipient of Sidley Austin's Vincent Prada Pro Bono Award in 2006 and 2007 and Gibson Dunn's Frank Wheat Memorial Award in 2008.
On average, Thomas has devoted over 100 hours per year on pro bono matters.
Similarly, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Florida Trend selected Thomas to its "legal elite" in appellate practice.
Additionally, our attorneys have a demonstrated commitment to pro bono service.
Thomas was the recipient of Sidley Austin's Vincent Prada Pro Bono Award in 2006 and 2007 and Gibson Dunn's Frank Wheat Memorial Award in 2008.
On average, Thomas has devoted over 100 hours per year on pro bono matters.
We are involved in our communities.
On a pro bono basis, our attorneys volunteer for the legal panel of the Greater Tampa Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and litigate pro bono appeals for the Eleventh Circuit's Addendum Five program and the State of Florida's pro bono program.
Our attorneys also are members of the Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court, the American Constitution Society, the American Bar Association's appellate practice section, the Federal Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association's appellate practice section, and the Florida Bar's appellate practice section.
On a pro bono basis, our attorneys volunteer for the legal panel of the Greater Tampa Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and litigate pro bono appeals for the Eleventh Circuit's Addendum Five program and the State of Florida's pro bono program.
Our attorneys also are members of the Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court, the American Constitution Society, the American Bar Association's appellate practice section, the Federal Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association's appellate practice section, and the Florida Bar's appellate practice section.
Typically, our clients are individuals or small-to-medium-sized businesses with varying degrees of legal experience or sophistication.
For that reason, we have dedicated ourselves to providing legal representation in a cost-effective manner.
Usually, we bill for our professional services by the hour against a retainer held in trust.
When appropriate, however, we sometimes make alternative billing arrangements, such as flat fees or contingent fees.
Our pro bono litigation is almost always by court appointment, either through the Eleventh Circuit's Addendum Five program or the State of Florida's pro bono program.
For that reason, we have dedicated ourselves to providing legal representation in a cost-effective manner.
Usually, we bill for our professional services by the hour against a retainer held in trust.
When appropriate, however, we sometimes make alternative billing arrangements, such as flat fees or contingent fees.
Our pro bono litigation is almost always by court appointment, either through the Eleventh Circuit's Addendum Five program or the State of Florida's pro bono program.
Our lawyers have litigated well over 150 appeals, including matters in the Supreme Court of the United States, the Eighth, Eleventh, D.C., and Federal Circuits, the Supreme Court of Illinois, the Supreme Court of Florida, and every Florida district court of appeal.
In doing so, our lawyers have presented dozens of oral arguments, including 19 before the Eleventh Circuit.
And our appellate practice spans the gamut of subject-matter areas, from civil appeals (e.g., civil rights, commercial disputes, family law, personal injury, and miscellaneous disputes) to criminal appeals (e.g., white collar crimes, street and vice crimes, and post-conviction relief) to original appellate proceedings (e.g., certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto) to amicus briefs to strategic trial support.
In doing so, our lawyers have presented dozens of oral arguments, including 19 before the Eleventh Circuit.
And our appellate practice spans the gamut of subject-matter areas, from civil appeals (e.g., civil rights, commercial disputes, family law, personal injury, and miscellaneous disputes) to criminal appeals (e.g., white collar crimes, street and vice crimes, and post-conviction relief) to original appellate proceedings (e.g., certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto) to amicus briefs to strategic trial support.
Kumar v. Patel, 227 So. 3d 557 Fla.
2017: we persuaded the Supreme Court of Florida to quash a Second District opinion that found a defendant immune from civil liability and instead hold that Stand Your Ground statute does not confer civil immunity to a defendant who had been determined to be immune from prosecution in a criminal case.
2017: we persuaded the Supreme Court of Florida to quash a Second District opinion that found a defendant immune from civil liability and instead hold that Stand Your Ground statute does not confer civil immunity to a defendant who had been determined to be immune from prosecution in a criminal case.
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