Thomas A. Burns

Thomas A. Burns is the founding shareholder of Burns, P.A., and a board-certified appellate specialist with extensive experience litigating complex civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts. Over his distinguished career, he has handled more than 250 appellate matters nationwide, including cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals, and every district court of appeal in Florida. His practice includes civil rights, commercial disputes, personal injury, and post-conviction relief.

Thomas earned his J.D., cum laude, from Duke University School of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of the Duke Law Journal and was named the David Siegel Scholar. He also earned his A.B., magna cum laude, from Duke University. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Susan H. Black on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. His strong academic background and judicial experience laid the foundation for a career defined by rigorous analysis and persuasive advocacy.

Before founding his firm, Thomas practiced with leading national law firms in Washington, D.C., including Sidley Austin LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and later with Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A., and Greenberg Traurig, P.A., in Tampa. He has successfully argued dozens of appellate cases, including landmark decisions in federal preemption, securities, and health care fraud matters. His record includes reversals and dismissals in multi-million-dollar civil and criminal cases.

Thomas A. Burns has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Florida Trend’s Legal Elite for his excellence in appellate advocacy. He is an active member of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section, the American Bar Association, and the Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court. Through his leadership and commitment to legal excellence, Thomas continues to shape appellate advocacy across Florida and beyond.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founding Shareholder, Burns, P.A.
• Member, Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Florida Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section
• Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section
• Member, American Constitution Society

Licensed State

• Florida
• District of Columbia

Education

• Duke University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Duke University
  AB with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges