Litigator Francis Burke Joins Foley & Lardner

San Francisco and Palo Alto, Calif. – Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Francis Burke has joined the firm’s Government Enforcement, Compliance and White Collar Defense Practice as a litigation partner in its San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices.

Burke brings deep experience across an array of practices, including criminal and civil antitrust, securities, real estate, financial fraud, commercial litigation, health care and pharmaceutical violations, export and government contracts violations and False Claims Act. He has represented various clients ranging from individuals to partnerships and corporations in federal and state grand jury investigations, agency investigations and trials, and  counsels clients in adopting corporate fraud prevention, detection and compliance programs. Burke spent five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle with a focus on prosecution of white collar and economic crimes.

“We are thrilled to welcome an attorney of Frank’s caliber to our thriving practice,” said Pamela Johnston, chair of Foley’s Government Enforcement, Compliance and White Collar Defense Practice. “His depth of experience navigating complex litigation cases, as well as parallel civil and criminal proceedings, will serve our clients' needs efficiently and effectively.”

Burke counsels and represents corporate officers and directors and investment advisers regarding fiduciary duties in structuring transactions and audit committee duties and responses to whistleblower complaints and auditor reports. He handles responses to shareholder demands, derivative suits and litigation alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and other business torts. He also represents buyers and sellers in merger and acquisition litigation, both pre- and post-closing.

Burke has conducted numerous internal investigations into allegations of misconduct, and structured investigations aimed at minimizing potential liability and controlling costs, helping to reduce workplace disruption. He is an active supporter of incorporating technological innovation within the legal industry, and has written and spoken extensively on eDiscovery.

“Our West Coast team is excited to work with Frank, whose experience counseling private and public companies on both legal and business issues, brings immediate value to our clients,” said Thomas L. Carlucci, managing partner of Foley’s San Francisco office.

Prior to joining Foley, Burke was chair of the Los Angeles litigation department at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, where he also co-led the firm’s National Fraud & Abuse, False Claims and Internal Investigations team. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. He is a member of the California, Arizona, Colorado and Washington bars.

About Foley & Lardner LLP

With approximately 900 attorneys in 20 offices, Foley & Lardner LLP provides award-winning business and legal insight to clients across the country and around the world. Our team-based approach, innovative technology, and focus on value and client service are continually recognized by our clients and the legal industry. Foley has been recognized in a survey* of Fortune 1000 corporate counsel as an elite BTI Client Service 30 for 11 years — one of only seven law firms to hold this distinction for more than 10 years. In addition, Foley received 26 national first-tier rankings on the 2014 U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” list and was named to the InformationWeek 500 list for seven of the past eight years for technological innovation that enhances business value. Learn more at Foley.com.