Justin M. Burns

Partner

Justin is no stranger to complicated or sensitive litigation matters.  He has been successful in trial courts and on appeal for a variety of cases, which includes defending against multi-million dollar disputes and securing multiple million-plus judgments on behalf of firm clients.  Although most of his practice focuses on complex business litigation, he devotes significant time defending municipalities and public officials in Ohio, especially when there are allegations of civil rights violations.  He also advises Ohio municipalities in Ohio’s Sunshine Law and other matters, and he oversees prosecutions of criminal offenses in a local court.

Justin’s practice is a natural extension of the two years he spent after law school as a law clerk to a federal judge.  Justin had a front-row seat for observing how judges think through decisions and how the law develops – because he was there supporting a federal judge with resolving complex matters involving  the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes.  Justin leverages this unique perspective when advising clients not just on the law, but also on how a court might think through disputed legal and factual issues.

In addition to a busy litigation practice, Justin is often called-upon to publish and speak in the legal community.  He has led dozens of continuing education classes for other lawyers, and he has presented his own research to international audiences on a variety of topics.  He frequently speaks on matters involving the Supreme Court of the United States, and he has spoken on his personal research interests focusing on the intersection of societal developments as a factor in evolving judicial philosophy.  He has presented to, among other organizations, the Ohio Bar Association and Columbus Bar Association, and he has led trainings throughout Ohio for police departments on evolving areas of the law.  His written work has been featured in the National Law Review, the Akron Law Review, and Ohio Lawyer magazine.

Justin’s success, both in the courtroom and in the community, earned him recognition as a Rising Star® by Super Lawyers Magazine each year since 2021an honor received by only 2.5% of attorneys in each stateAdditionally, in 2023, the Firm awarded him with the Alice J. Neeley Difference Maker Award, which recognized Justin’s dedication to the Firm and its clients, as well as Justin’s uncompromising ethics and professionalism in the community.

Outside the law, Justin is an avid sports fan, cheering on Ohio State and the Columbus Crew, and he is studying to become fluent in French.

Credentials

Education

University of Akron School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2015)

  • Akron Law Review, editor-in-chief
  • ABA’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition finalist
  • CALI Award for Excellence (highest grade): School Law I and Civil Procedure II

University of Tennessee (M.S., 2012)

  • College Student Personnel

The Ohio State University (B.S., 2007)

  • Atmospheric Science

Bar admissions

  • Ohio

Court admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Distinctions

  • Super Lawyers Magazine 
    • Ohio Rising Stars®, Business Litigation (2021-Present)

Career Highlights
  • Successfully Obtained Relief for Ohio Physician

    We represented an Ohio physician in obtaining the first federal equivalent of Ohio Certificate of Qualification for Employment issued by a U.S. District Court in Ohio and for which there is no federal law or district case law. Obtaining this relief precludes Ohio Medicaid from relying on the client’s prior conviction for health care fraud as a basis to permanently exclude the client from enrollment in Ohio Medicaid.

  • Successfully Obtained Employment Relief for Physician Client

    We represented an Ohio physician in obtaining the first federal equivalent of an Ohio Certificate of Qualification for Employment issued by an Ohio court and for which there is no federal law or district case law. Obtaining this relief precludes Ohio Medicaid from relying on the client’s prior conviction for health care fraud as a basis to permanently exclude the client from enrollment in Ohio Medicaid. Physician has been successfully re-enrolled, and is a provider for Ohio Department of Medicaid.

Publications
  • March 19, 2024

    Supreme Court Issues Warning for Public Officials Using Social Media

  • July 15, 2022

    Warning You of Your Right to Remain Silent is Not a Right After All

  • May 23, 2022

    High Court Rulings Complicate Government Regulation Of Speech

  • December 17, 2020

    Federal Judge Confirms Transgender Ohio Residents Are Entitled to Accurate Birth Certificates

News
  • December 17, 2024

    35 Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

  • January 3, 2024

    Dinsmore Elevates 13 Attorneys to Partnership

  • December 29, 2023

    Ohio Super Lawyers Recognizes 30 Dinsmore Attorneys on 2024 List

  • December 29, 2022

    Ohio Super Lawyers Honors 36 Dinsmore Attorneys

  • December 30, 2021

    44 Dinsmore Attorneys Named Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

  • December 8, 2020

    44 Dinsmore Attorneys Named Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Events
  • November 5, 2021

    OSBA Corporate Counsel Institute – CLE

  • October 20, 2021

    Judicial and Legislative Developments Affecting the LGBTQ+ Community

  • January 16, 2021

    Dinsmore’s Annual Continuing Legal Education Seminar

  • November 20, 2020

    In-House and General Counsel Virtual Symposium

  • July 15, 2020

    Webinar Series: Eliminating Bias: Does Title VII Prohibit Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation – Webinar 3: What the SCOTUS Decision means to Employers and the LGBTQ+ Community

  • July 8, 2020

    Webinar Series: Eliminating Bias: Does Title VII Prohibit Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation – Webinar 2: Unpacking the SCOTUS Decision on Title VII and Other Pending Civil Rights Matters