Robert A. Burke

Partner – Litigation

Mr. Burke focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and estate and trust litigation. This includes trial and appellate work in federal, state and international courts. He regularly presents matters before alternative dispute resolution panels and frequently lectures on trial tactics, practice, and procedure. He has appeared before the United States Court of Appeals in both the Third and Sixth Circuits.

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Mr. Burke advises clients in the areas of:

Commercial and corporate litigation
Trust, Estate and Orphans’ Court litigation
Resolution of partnership and shareholder disputes
Intellectual property disputes

Prior to joining MacElree Harvey, Bob was a partner at Blank Rome, a large law firm in Philadelphia, where he worked for fourteen years. Before that, he was associated with a large firm in Northern New Jersey for five years. Following law school, Bob clerked for a Federal District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey.

Notable Representations

Successful resolution of Orphans’ Court dispute over control of charitable organization.
Obtained verdict successfully overturning last will and testament arising out of undue influence.
Obtained injunctive relief to protect client from theft of valuable trade secrets.
Obtained $13.5 million verdict for estate of child killed in fire caused by defective product.
Representation of foreign government regarding protection of assets in United States and over 30 foreign jurisdictions.
Successful resolution of international dispute relating to distribution of life insurance proceeds in excess of $10 million.
Represented major technology firm in the resolution of contentious shareholder litigation.
Obtained a verdict in a bench trial for clients in a veil-piercing case. Plaintiff unsuccessfully sought to impose a $7 million judgment on personal assets of business owners.

Memberships

Chester County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2019-Present
Chester County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2015-2018
Stively American Inn of Court, President, 2014-Present
Chester County Bar Association, Litigation Section
Philadelphia Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association

Speaking Engagements

November 2018: What to Do and Not to Do as you Enter a Business Dispute
April 2018: Technology in the Courtroom
November 2017: Use of Jury Consultants in Trials Involving Complex Commercial Disputes
Nov. 2015: How to Give Compelling Opening Statements
Oct. 2014: Estate Litigation Practice and Procedures
Jan. 2014: Effective Litigation Techniques
Oct. 2013: Non-Competition Agreements
Oct. 2013: Litigating Commercial Contracts
May 2012: Electronic Discovery in Litigation
Oct. 2011: Protecting Your Business From Litigation
June 2011: Wage and Hour Issues for Businesses
May 2010: Medicare Secondary Reporting and DPW Liens
April 2010: Preparing Written Discovery Responses and Objections
July 2009: Deposition Strategy: Practice and Procedure
Jan. 2009: Benefits and Pitfalls of Arbitration
Jan. 2008: Conducting Discovery in Foreign Countries
Dec. 2007: Good Deals Gone Bad – A Litigator’s Hindsight is Always 20/20
Dec. 2006: Litigators’ Perspective on Corporate Transaction Documents