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
Investigative & Demand Committees
Corporate & Chancery Litigation
Mergers & Acquisitions
Select Experience
- Co-lead trial counsel defending a public real estate technology company in several Court of Chancery cases and Delaware Supreme Court appeals of the same
- Co-lead trial counsel for national cleaning industry company pursing contract and fraud claims in the Delaware Superior Court
- Successfully defended private equity buyer against indemnification and fraud cases at trial in the Court of Chancery
- Litigation counsel in several of the largest appraisal actions including the pending In re Appraisal of Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., and the successful defense of respondents in In re Appraisal of Jarden, Inc. and In re Appraisal of PetSmart, Inc.
- Represented public and private companies in numerous 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
- 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
Delaware Strengthens Its Corporate Law Advantage: What Bankers Need to Know About Senate Bill 21
Delaware Banker | Spring 2025
On March 25, 2025, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed Delaware Senate Bill 21 into law, marking a significant moment in the evolution of American corporate law. This bipartisan legislation amends the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) in response to concerns expressed by Delaware corporations, law firms, and others corporate stakeholders about providing greater clarity and predictability…
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, since 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
