Overview
“An excellent trial lawyer” (Chambers USA), Robert Burns has worked on an extraordinary number of Chancery Court trials in the past 10 years.
Rob has litigated numerous corporate control, corporate governance, fiduciary duty, appraisal, and contractual disputes in Delaware’s state and federal courts. Focusing primarily on corporate and commercial litigation, he represents Delaware corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and their officers, directors, and managers.
Very active in pro bono and civic matters, Rob has served as a child attorney, worked pro bono on the firm’s Protection from Abuse team, and received the Delaware National Guard’s Distinguished Service Medal for helping to represent two charities associated with the Delaware National Guard.
PRACTICES
Select Experience
- Successfully argued a motion to dismiss on behalf of the board of United Continental in a Delaware Court of Chancery derivative suit challenging United’s separation from its past CEO and other executives
- Successfully represented respondent in appraisal proceeding in In re Appraisal of PetSmart, Inc., 2017 WL 2303599 (Del. Ch. May 26, 2017), in which the Court of Chancery concluded that the deal price represented fair value
- Counsel to international chemical company as plaintiff in a Delaware Court of Chancery fraud action that resulted in a favorable settlement
- Represented directors of a medical technology company in a control dispute
- Represented public and private companies in books and records actions
- Represented directors and officers in fiduciary duty suits, including class action and derivative cases, in the Delaware Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court
- Successfully represented large telecommunications company in a confidential arbitration
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2009
Virginia Journal of International Law, Articles Editor - James Madison University, B.A., 2003
Pi Sigma Alpha
Education
Publications
Chancery Court Decides First Action Under New Section 205
Delaware Business Court Insider | May 7, 2014
On April 1, Trupanion Inc. and its chief executive officer filed what is believed to be the first petition seeking relief in the Delaware Court of Chancery pursuant to Section 205 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In less than a month, the Chancery Court issued a final order in the action, resolving multiple questions relating…
Fiduciary Duties and LLCs: Like Oil or Like Water?
ABA Business Law Section Newsletter | December 2012
Pro Bono Activities
- Child Attorney, Delaware’s Office of the Child Advocate
- Protection from Abuse Team, Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
Recognition
- Chambers USA, 2024, 2023, 2022
- The Legal 500, 2024, 2023, 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2025, 2024
- Benchmark Litigation, 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021
- Super Lawyers, 2019
- Delaware National Guard, Distinguished Service Medal, 2014
Bar Admissions
- Delaware, 2009
- United States District Court, District of Delaware, 2010
