Associate Chris Burtley was profiled in an article in the University of Michigan Law School’s Law Quadrangle alumni magazine, “Chris Burtley, ’15: Reimagining Supply Chains After Historic Disruption,” about supply chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and his ties to his hometown of Flint, Mich.
Burtley said he initially thought of the novel coronavirus as a “small project to keep an eye on,” not the big issue that it would go on to become. “It was a surreal experience to watch it go from a legal issue to something that ultimately impacted me and so many others personally,” he said.
He said he views his current role as helping clients make the necessary – and sometimes uncomfortable – changes necessary to adapt to the impact of COVID-19. “The key is being flexible and creative, as the way we have done business for many years is probably not going to be the way business is done going forward,” he said.
Burtley also discussed his close ties to his hometown and his efforts to use his legal and professional experience to help communities like Flint that have been devastated by the pandemic, including serving on a task force studying ways to deal with the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minorities. “I found myself really wanting to do something, especially after my dad passed away, and I’m honored to serve my community by bringing some of my legal skills to the table and contributing to something meaningful,” he said.