RESUME | TOM BURNS

 

Objective

Attorney with 25+ years of experience, with more than twenty years of experience in a family law and general litigation practice in Maryland.  Partner for 10+ years with a small firm. Great depth of knowledge in the representation of individuals in matters relating to family and divorce litigation, mediation and collaborative law, guardianship, probate, drafting of wills and estate planning documents, civil litigation and collaboration and real estate and business transactions.

 

 

Experience

Berger & Burns, LLC  |  November 2009 - Present

Partner November, 2009 - Present

Principal attorney November 2009-

• Developed a continuously growing legal services firm

• The firm is engaged in general litigation with higher concentration in Domestic, Criminal and Civil Litigation matters at the trial level

• Represented clients in numerous Estate matters

• Emphasis on trying to resolve issues with the use of alternative means and applying problem resolution
   techniques to avoid unnecessary and expensive litigation to include Collaborative Practice and Mediation

• Handled numerous domestic matters outside of the traditional Court process to include Collaborative Law and Mediation

• Mediated numerous disputes, primarily in Family Law matters

 

The Collaborative Law Group  |  March 2004 - November 2009

Associate Attorney

• Handled domestic matters including Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Protective Order Applications, Handled Estate and Guardianship matters, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Criminal matters in all stages of litigation with frequent Court appearance

• Handled numerous Estate matters

• Handled numerous Domestic matters outside of the traditional Court process to include Collaborative Law and Mediation

• Routinely established and prepared estate plans, Drafted Advance Directives, Powers of Attorney, Wills, etc.

 

Law Offices Of Arthur L. Drager  |  January 2002 - March 2004

Associate Attorney

• Practiced in the fields of Estate, Guardianship, Medical Assistance planning, Civil and Family matters

• Acted as Court Appointed Counsel in numerous Guardianship matters

• Emphasis on Elder Law and Civil Litigation including frequent Court appearances and trials

 

Alisa B. Kobrinetz, P.A.  |  January 2000 - December 2001

Associate Attorney

• Practiced in Fields of Medical Assistance Planning, Collection, Civil Litigation, Guardianship and Involuntary Discharge matters. Numerous Court appearances in both the Circuit and District Courts in multiple jurisdictions.

 

Baltimore City Department of Social Services

Legal Officer  |  August 1997- May 1998

Staff Attorney  |  January 1999 - January 2000

• As Legal Officer prepared child abuse and neglect cases for trial in Baltimore City Juvenile Court;
  assisted in trial of cases as Second Chair

• As Staff Attorney gained experience in representing the agency at numerous Hearings, Settlements and Trials in the Juvenile Court for Baltimore City to include Shelter Care, Adjudication, Disposition, Permanency Planning, and Termination of Parental Rights Hearings.  Managed large caseload

 

Legal Aid Bureau  |  May 1998 - January 1999

Associate Attorney

• Met with and represented children in Hearings, Settlements, and Trials in Child Abuse and Neglect matters in the Juvenile Court for Baltimore City. Managed significant caseload.

 

Circuit Court for Baltimore City  |  August 1995 - September 1996

Law Clerk to General Master Susan M. Marzetta

• Assisted the General Equity Master in review of all civil equity matters to include Ex parte Injunctions, Guardianships, Mechanics Liens, Tax sale matters, Foreclosures, Title 13 Matters, Request for Change of Name and numerous other civil equity matters

 

 

Education

Admitted to Maryland Bar  |  December 12, 1995

 

University of Baltimore School of Law  |  August 1992 - May 1995

Juris Doctorate

 

Saint Joseph’s University  |  August 1988 - May 1992

Bachelor Of Arts, Cum Laude

 

 

Continuing Education

Two-Day Core Collaborative Law Training  |  September 2006

Advanced Collaborative Team Training  |  October 2007

40 Hours Basic Mediation Training  |  April 2008

20 Hours Marital Property Mediation Training  |  November 2008

20 Hours Child Access Mediation Training  |  December 2008

 

 

Service

Howard County Collaborative Professionals Board of Directors, 2010-11; Secretary 2011-12; Vice President 2012-13; President 2013-14; Past President 2014-16; Board of Directors 2018-20

 

Maryland Collaborative Practice Council: Treasurer, 2012-13

 

Commission on Child Custody Decision Making, ADR Subcomittee, 2014

 

Board of Directors, Vice President of Ravens Roost #110, 2011-18

 

Board of Directors Hampden Family Center, 2021-

 

 

Memberships

Maryland State Bar Association
Howard County Bar Association
Howard County Collaborative Professionals
International Association of Collaborative Professionals

 

 

References

Available upon request.