G. Luke Burton
Senior Associate
Luke Burton’s practice focuses on appellate litigation, government litigation, internal investigations and criminal defense. Luke helps clients solve their thorniest problems, whether those problems arise in appeals to state or federal courts, or in allegations of misconduct levied by the government.
Luke has substantial experience in state and federal appellate litigation, as well as in all matter of disputes with government agencies. He also has particular experience in federal criminal and civil investigations, and white-collar criminal defense. Luke is also an experienced investigations lawyer, having led internal investigations of alleged misconduct ranging from fraud, self-dealing and embezzlement to violations of federal laws and regulations. In addition, Luke has represented clients in various pro bono matters, including habeas corpus proceedings. Before joining the firm, Luke clerked for the Honorable Julia S. Gibbons of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and for the Honorable David L. Bunning of the Eastern District of Kentucky.
- Defended clients against federal criminal charges, including allegations of wire fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering and controlled-substance act offenses.
- Second-chaired a three-week federal criminal trial, resulting in acquittal on most serious charges.
- Led internal investigations into allegations of various misconduct, including self-dealing, fraud, regulatory violations and alleged criminal conduct.
- Deep experience litigating in federal appellate courts, with specific experience in the Sixth Circuit.
- Assisted with coordination of appellate strategy for clients in highly regulated industries.
- Represents clients pro bono in state and federal habeas corpus proceedings.
- Successfully represented client under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division related to alleged tampering with onboard diagnostic systems, resulting in no charges against client.
- Successfully represented client under criminal investigation by SDNY and the FBI related to alleged threats against public officials and others, resulting in no charges against the client.
- Successfully represented client under SEC scrutiny related to third-party vendor cyber-incidents, resulting in no action against the client.
Education
- University of California, Berkeley J.D., 2015
- University of Kentucky, B.A., summa cum laude, 2012
Admissions
- Ohio, 2018
- Kentucky, 2015
Courts
- U.S. Dist. Ct., S. Dist. of Ohio
- U.S. Dist. Ct., E. Dist. of Kentucky
- U.S. Dist. Ct., W. Dist. of Kentucky
- U.S. Ct. of App., Second Circuit
- U.S. Ct. of App., Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Ct. of App., D.C. Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2021-2025 for Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Recognized in Super Lawyers as a Rising Star 2025 for Appellate