A modern alternative to Big Law.
Sophisticated legal advice doesn’t have to come with sticker shock. With a career spanning twenty years at two global firms, Brian Burke brings all the expertise and gravitas of Big Law without the overhead. It’s a model whose time has come.
Practice Areas
Not every legal project calls for a large law firm. Many matters begin with an allegation from the whistleblower hotline, a concern raised during an audit, questions about a distributor, or a disagreement over a business transaction. Experienced counsel is needed to help establish the relevant facts, assess the risks, and recommend a course of action, but it doesn’t necessarily require a big firm or the cost that comes with one. This is especially true when AI is used instead of a team of expensive lawyers.
Burke Law & Strategy was built with those projects in mind. Clients work directly with Brian, a former Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP and Steptoe LLP, from beginning to end. The objective is practical, partner-level advice in a model that reflects how companies buy legal services today.
As a former Senior Partner at two global law firms and General Counsel of GSK China, Brian has advised multinationals, boards and executives through sensitive disputes, investigations and cross-border challenges. He is admitted to practice law in New York and Hong Kong, is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has spent over two decades working across the United States, Greater China and Asia-Pacific. Brian lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Clients generally retain Brian when the issue is important but the path forward is not yet clear. The first objective is usually the same: understand the facts. From there, the discussion turns to practical questions. What are the legal risks? What should the company do next? Who needs to be involved? Which issues require immediate attention, and which can wait? The advice is intended to be practical, proportionate, and consistent with the company’s business objectives.
Approach to Fees
At large firms, a client’s annual budget is quickly depleted by expensive associates and firm overhead (global offices, back-office support, marketing budget, etc.). BLS turns that model on its head: clients work directly, and only, with the senior attorney. Brian assesses the risks, advises on strategy, drafts the brief, leads the investigation, and faces the counterparty. An in-house budget goes a lot further with this approach.
The model is tech-forward, using advanced AI tools to streamline busy-work, eliminate overhead, and maximize value for clients. Brian also welcomes fixed fees and other alternative fee arrangements that bring transparency and eliminate surprises.
“Truly exceptional.”
“One of the best outside counsels I have ever worked with.”