Biography
Dakotah Burns is an Associate in the Firm's Litigation department. From 2018 to 2019, Mr. Burns served as a Law Clerk to the Hon. Jane B. Stranch of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. From 2015 to 2016, he served as a Law Clerk to the Hon. Gregory Van Tatenhove of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Commercial Litigation
Represented major media and entertainment company in dispute concerning popular reality television series.
Represented multinational beverage companies in putative consumer class actions concerning product advertising and labeling.
Represented leading European industrial conglomerate in suits alleging trade secret misappropriation.
Represented global industrial equipment and service provider in contract dispute regarding terms of merger agreement.
Represented European bank in connection with allegations brought by asset managers, pension funds, and central banks concerning alleged manipulation of the foreign exchange market.
White Collar Defense and Investigations
Represented prominent art museum in connection with investigations by the Manhattan District Attorney and U.S. Attorney’s Office concerning the provenance of pieces in the museum’s collection.
Advised art galleries and individual collectors on a range of issues, including provenance and ownership disputes, anti-money laundering laws, and compliance with sanctions programs.
Conducted internal investigations of companies and non-profit organizations in connection with allegations of commercial bribery and money laundering.
Conducted internal investigation of law firm in connection with allegations of malpractice brought by debtor in bankruptcy proceeding, and successfully negotiated settlement of claims with debtor.
Employment
Assisted employers in drafting effective workplace policies that comply with state and federal regulatory requirements and meet individual workplace needs.
Advised employers on a range of employment issues, including those related to anti-harassment and discrimination policies, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, leave and vacation policies, worker classification, and hiring and termination.
Conducted internal investigations on behalf of employers in connection with allegations of workplace harassment and/or discrimination.
Pro Bono
Represented mother and son who sought asylum in the United States after facing threats of extortion and murder by gang members in El Salvador, and successfully obtained relief under the Convention Against Torture that enabled both to remain in the United States.
Authored amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the government’s obligation under the Immigration and Nationality Act to conduct an individualized assessment of the propriety of detention of individuals seeking asylum in the United States.
Represented class of individuals asserting claims for deceptive business practices, unjust enrichment, and harassment against operator of three-quarter houses in New York. Successfully obtained multimillion-dollar damages award and injunctive relief.
Represented comic book artist in dispute with publisher involving unconscionable contract that purported to grant the publisher virtually all rights to the artist’s intellectual property.
Authored amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the availability of damages awards under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in connection with federal agents’ unlawful placement of Muslim man on “No Fly List” in retaliation for his refusal to work as an informant in the American-Muslim community.
- New York