Philip A. Burian

Philip A. Burian is a Cedar Rapids civil litigation and trial lawyer who represents companies, insurers, professionals, and individuals in state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution. His practice covers transportation law, product liability, personal injury, insurance defense and coverage, commercial litigation, and construction disputes. He focuses on defending claims, reducing risk, and pursuing practical resolutions, while also representing plaintiffs when appropriate.

Burian earned his J.D. with high distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1996, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and participated in the Van Oosterhout Moot Court and National Moot Court Team. He received his B.A. cum laude from Coe College in 1993, earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi and recognition as a Ruth A. Outland Scholar. He also completed the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy.

Burian brings more than two decades of experience with transportation matters, including tort claims, accident reconstruction, rapid accident response, cargo claims, contract drafting, debt collection, and agent disputes. He handles personal injury and wrongful death cases involving motor vehicles, equipment, and allegedly defective products. His work also includes insurance coverage disputes, electronically stored information, business torts, trade secrets, trademarks, noncompetition covenants, and construction and design disputes involving engineers, architects, contractors, suppliers, and owners.

Philip A. Burian has been included in The Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law and was named the 2024 Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for Insurance Law in Cedar Rapids. He also holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Admitted in Iowa and Illinois, he serves clients with practical judgment, trial experience, and attention to economic considerations. His professional background is further informed by service in the Iowa National Guard, including duty during the first Persian Gulf War and a humanitarian mission in Central America.

Law Office Affiliations

• Member, Simmons Perrine PLC
• Member, Iowa State Bar Association, Administrative Law Section
• Member, Linn County Bar Association

Licensed State

• Iowa
• Illinois

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Coe College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)