James A Burns Jr

For more than 35 years, Jim Burns has effectively represented employers before juries, judges, administrative agencies, arbitrators, and mediators throughout the United States, defending claims of age, race, sex, and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, defamation, breach of contract, denial of overtime pay and employee benefits, unfair labor practices, and violations of collective bargaining agreements. He has also brought and defended suits to enforce non-competes and other restrictive covenants. Jim also regularly advises employers on how to manage legal risks in hiring, supervising, evaluating, investigating, and terminating employees, implementing reductions in force, creating and applying personnel policies, and dealing with labor unions, and helps clients protect key interests through effective employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and separation agreements.

• Labor and Employment

• Does Not Currently Practice Law
• Not Currently Accepting Clients

Illinois

Since 1980

U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Since 1999

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Since 1997

U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Since 1982

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Since 1985

U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois

Since 2004

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Since 1986

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Since 1981

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1989

Partner

Reed Smith LLP

2007 - Current

Partner

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

1994 - 2007

Partner

Ross & Hardies

1988 - 1994

Associate

Ross & Hardies

1986 - 1987

Associate

Seyfarth Shaw

1980 - 1986

University of Michigan Law School

J.D (1980)

1977 - 1980

Honors: Graduated cum laude.

Activities: University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

B.A (1977) | Psychology

1973 - 1977

Honors: Graduated with high distinction. Member, Mortar Board Honor Society. James B. Angell Scholar.

Activities: President, University Cellar, Inc. (student-owned bookstore with over $3.5 million in sales). Vice President, University of Michigan College Young Democrats. Michigan Daily (student newspaper).

Illinois Super Lawyer in "Employment and Labor"

Law and Politics / Chicago Magazine

2016

Illinois Super Lawyer in "Employment and Labor"

Law and Politics / Chicago Magazine

2015

llinois Super Lawyer in "Employment and Labor"

Law and Politics / Chicago Magazine

2014

Illinois Super Lawyer in "Employment and Labor"

Law and Politics / Chicago Magazine

2013

Illinois Super Lawyer in "Employment and Labor"

Law and Politics / Chicago Magazine

2012

Current

Activities: Member, American Employment Law Council

Current

Activities: Member, American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law, Technology Committee and Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee

Current

Activities: Recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer in the areas of "Employment and Labor" and "Employment Litigation Defense" in 2007 and 2008

Current

Activities: Selected as a Leading Lawyer of Illinois in the area of "Employment Law: Management"

American Bar Association

Charter Member, Technology Commitee, Section of Labor and Employment Law

2005 - Current