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Hello and Welcome to MacElree Harvey

Centreville, DE
Centreville, DE

5721 Kennett Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807
302-654-4454

Hockessin, DE
Hockessin, DE

724 Yorklyn Rd #100
Hockessin, DE 19707
302-239-3700

Kennett Square, PA
Kennett Square, PA

209 East State Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610-444-3180

West Chester, PA
West Chester, PA

17 West Miner Street
West Chester, PA 19382
610-436-0100

8:00am - 5:30pm
Opening hours Monday - Friday
610-436-0100
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MacElree Harvey Offices
Home > Attorney > Robert A. Burke

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.

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.

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

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

Community Involvement

  • Bow Tree Civic Association, Board Member
  • West Chester Running Club
  • Race Director for a community 10K and 5K road race

Articles

Videos

Practice Areas

Testimonials

Litigation

I have known Mr. Burke for several years and have sought counsel from him many times. He is an excellent legal advisor and has provided us with great service on multiple occasions on both a personal and professional level. I would highly recommend Mr. Burke and his associated law firm to any one person or company who is looking for a dependable and trustworthy source for legal matters. Thank you for this opportunity to share feedback.

Judy Read more

Education

  • Seton Hall University School of Law, 1990 (J.D.)
  • Villanova University, 1987 (B.A.)

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third and Sixth Circuits

Awards

Martindale-Hubbell Rating 2019 Top-Lawyer-2019-MLT Top Lawyers 2018-MLTMLT-Top-Lawyer-logo 2017MLT-Top-Lawyer-2016 Robert Burke, selected to 2019 PA Super Lawyers ListRobert Burke Selected Super Lawyer in 2018

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