Steve Burkhart

Steven A. Burkhart

Of Counsel
Baltimore

Steven A. Burkhart is a commercial attorney and litigator with international experience. His background managing diverse teams of lawyers, engineers, scientists, and finance professionals helps him facilitate cross-functional teamwork and promote collaboration, resulting in innovative solutions for his clients. His global business experience helps him serve as a trusted adviser, allowing for greater partnership as he and his clients work toward meeting organizational objectives.

Steve’s experience includes antitrust, compliance, corporate governance, employment, ethics, government relations, insurance, intellectual property, manufacturing, mergers and acquisitions, and product liability. He is a recognized legal authority in commercial litigation, employment, insurance, intellectual property, internal investigations, product liability, and risk management matters. As general counsel, he led his organization’s front-line litigation efforts.

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Led acquisition team purchasing a startup company from venture capital investors
  • Led entrepreneurial research team responsible for launching alternative energy products
  • Completed joint development and technology sharing agreements with large consumer technology companies

Professional Highlights

Pro Bono Experience

Mr. Burkhart has taught in-house corporate practice courses at law schools in the United States for over 20 years.

Professional Activities

Director and President, U.S. Lighter Association, 2018-present

Director, Writing Instruments Manufacturing Association, 2019-2020

Director and Chair, PLAC, 2010-2020

Convener, TC61/SC4/WG10 International Organization for Standardization 2011-present

Recognition & Accomplishments

Legal 500, Dispute resolution - Product liability, mass tort and class action - automotive/transport - defense, 2023, 2024

U.S. Patent 10,374,449 (2019)—Inventor, battery charging/ignition device

Speaking Engagements

Product Liability, Insurance, Crisis Prevention, and Risk Management Conference, 2003-present

PLAC—The Communications Decency Act: Evolving Landscape and Uncertain Future, 2020

Board Memberships & Community Service

Director, JMP Foundation Connecticut, February 2021-present

The Trademark Lawyer, 2019-present

SLS Insurance Company, 2013-present

Publications

“Trademark Infringement Isn’t Just Bad Business—Sometimes It’s Dangerous," The Trademark Lawyer, Issue 1, 2019

Credentials 

Education

The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law (J.D. 1989)
Health Law Journal
Law and Public Policy Scholarship

University of Washington (B.A. 1986)

Admissions

Maryland