Robert W. Burns

Shareholder

Robert W. Burns

Location: Green Bay

T: 920.431.2224

F: 920.431.2264

rburns@dkattorneys.com

Download VCard

Connect with Robert Online

Assistant: Barbara Hermann

T: 920.431.2244

Videos

Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers® in America - Employment Law – Management, and Labor Law – Management (2010-2023)
  • Best Lawyers® in America - Green Bay, Labor Law - Management "Lawyer of the Year" (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
  • Best Lawyers® in America - Green Bay, Employment Law - Management "Lawyer of the Year" (2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2022)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine - Labor & Employment (2012-2021, 2005-2008)
  • George Tipler Award, WSAA (2017)
  • Leader in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal (2012)
  • Martindale Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated
  • Fellow, Wisconsin Law Foundation
  • St. Norbert College (1998) Distinguished Service to the College Award; Ambassador Award (1992-1993)

Education

  • J.D., Willamette University
  • B.A., cum laude, St. Norbert College

Biography

Bob serves as Chair of the firm’s School and Higher Education Team and is a member of the Labor & Employment Team. He assists clients with a wide variety of issues which arise in the workplace. He represents employers in labor negotiations, discrimination defense, disability and ADA issues, wrongful discharge or employment contract disputes, non-compete issues and other sensitive personnel transactions. He also provides advice on a wide variety of school law issues.

Bob works with businesses and governmental entities as general or special counsel. He represents employers of all sizes, including those with union and non-union workforces.

Representative Clients

  • Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
  • Lakeshore Technical College
  • Municipalities
  • Public and private corporations

Notable Representations

NLRB Appeal Bob successfully represented a nationally based company in an appeal to the National Labor Relations Board, which overturned a decision ordering reinstatement of an employee in the company’s Oklahoma facility. The 2007 decision relieved the company of a potential five year back pay order.

Contract Litigation Bob successfully represented two Wisconsin school districts in litigation challenging the post-Act 10 teacher contracts implemented by the Districts. The litigation focused on management rights of the districts to change terms and benefits previously covered by prior bargaining agreements.

Leadership

Professional Activities

Member, American and Brown County Bar Associations

Member, State Bar of Wisconsin

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Federal Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin

Master, Hon. Robert J. Parins Legal Society

Former President, Wisconsin School Attorneys Association

Community Involvement

Board Member, St. Thomas More Society, Diocese of Green Bay

Member, Society of Human Resource Management - Green Bay

Member, Society of Human Resource Management - Sheboygan

Former Board Member, Brown County United Way

Former Board Chair, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, Inc.

Member, St. Norbert College President's Advisory Council

Former Board Member, St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center of Green Bay, Inc.

Former Board Member, St. Vincent Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis

Former President/Former Board Member, Green Bay Country Club, Inc.

Former Board Member, Meyer Theatre Corporation

Board Member/Secretary, Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation

Former Board Member, Freedom House Ministries, Inc.

Published Articles / Presentations

Co-Author, “Public Sector Labor Relations,” State Bar of Wisconsin

Frequent speaker on labor and employment topics

Former Guest Lecturer, St. Norbert College Education Department, UW-Milwaukee Masters Program