Foley Adds Seasoned Civil and Criminal Litigation Attorney Francis Burke in San Francisco and Silicon Valley

Foley 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 F. 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.