Photo of James T. Burton

James T. Burton

Shareholder
Key Bank Tower
36 S. State Street
Suite 1900
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Related Info

Mr. Burton is the former chair of the Firm’s Intellectual Property section.  He has extensive experience litigating intellectual property matters, including patent, trademark, copyright, false advertising, Lanham Act, and trade secret claims. Acting as lead counsel, Mr. Burton has handled intellectual property cases in federal courts throughout the United States.

Mr. Burton also leads the Firm’s healthcare litigation practice, defending hospitals, healthcare facilities, and healthcare providers, including the nation’s largest not-for-profit hospital company.  He also handles physician credentialing matters. 

Mr. Burton has experience handling litigation matters related to real estate transactions, construction disputes, contract disputes, and commercial torts.   He also has experience in appellate matters, having obtained successful results for clients in multiple federal and state court appeals.

In 2014, Mr. Burton was appointed by Joachim Gauck, former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, and approved by the United States Department of State, to serve as the German Honorary Consul to Utah. He also currently serves as the Vice President of the Utah Consular Corps.

Mr. Burton is recognized by his peers as a Legal Elite for intellectual property litigation.  Mr. Burton was also previously recognized by Utah Business magazine as one of Utah’s Forty under 40.

Industries

Education

The George Washington University Law School, LL.M., with highest honors, 2006

  • Highest Grade, Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Highest Grade, Ethics in Adjudication and Settlement

The Florida State University College of Law, J.D., 2005

  • Dean's Academic Honor List
  • Highest Grade, Advanced Legal Research
  • Blank-Miller Scholarship recipient
  • Research Assistant, Donald J. Weidner, Dean, Florida State University College of Law
  • Student Ambassador
  • Founder, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Florida State University Chapter
  • Pro Bono Volunteer, Legal Services of North Florida

Utah State University, B.A., cum laude, 2002

  • Dean's Academic Honor List
  • Volunteer Peer Tutor
  • Pi Sigma Alpha

Clerkship

  • Judicial Extern, Florida First District Court of Appeals

Bar Admissions

  • Utah, 2008
  • Nevada, 2007
  • Virginia (in-active), 2006
Other Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers: Intellectual Property Litigation (2019, 2020)
  • Utah Legal Elite: Intellectual Property (2017, 2018, 2019)
  • 2017, honored by Utah Business magazine as a Forty Under 40 Rising Star (40 executives under 40 years old)
  • Mountain States Super Lawyer: Rising Star for Intellectual Property Litigation (2012 - 2018)
  • Most Dedicated New Senior Attorney, Trial By Peers Pro Bono Youth-Offender Diversion Program (2007)

Affiliations

American Intellectual Property Law Association

Barrister, American Inn of Court

Bar Examination Committee member, Utah State Bar

J. Reuben Clark Law Society

German-American Society

Community/Civic Involvement

Salt Lake Rotary Club (Club 24)

Volunteer Leader, Boys Scouts of America, 2006 - present

Vice President, Utah Consular Corps

Former Board Member, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Salt Lake City Chapter

Volunteer coach for multiple little league teams (basketball, football, baseball and soccer)

Executive Committee member, Christkindlmarkt SLC 

Former high school varsity basketball referee

Language

  • German