FIRM PROFILE: Louis F. Burke PC (the “Burke Firm”) is engaged in commercial litigation and specializes in commodities/futures litigation before federal and state courts, arbitration proceedings before securities and commodities exchanges and their regulatory counterparts such as the National Futures Association, and administrative proceedings before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Burke Firm has represented plaintiffs in class actions that have resulted in recoveries aggregating over $3 billion.
LOUIS F. BURKE, born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; was admitted to the New York bar in 1973; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit in 1974; U.S. Tax Court in 1983; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York in 1988; Mr. Burke appears in Best Lawyers as one of the best commercial litigators in NY (since 2013) and has been chosen by his peers as a Super Lawyer in securities litigation (since 2013).
Education: Boston University (B.S.B.A., 1966); New England School of Law (J.D., 1970). Editor, New England Law Review, 1969‑1970.
Working History: From 1970 to 1972, Mr. Burke worked in the Personal Trust Department of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York. In 1972, he joined the enforcement division of the SEC New York Regional Office and remained there until 1976. From 1976 to 1977 Mr. Burke was general counsel of the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“COMEX”), a precious metals futures exchange, where he began his career in the futures industry and was responsible for regulatory and enforcement of COMEX By-Laws and Rules and CFTC regulations. From 1977 to the present The Burke Firm has maintained a law practice focused on commodities/futures litigation and regulatory work representing all forms of registrants including, floor brokers, floor traders, commodity trading advisors, introducing brokers, non-clearing and clearing futures commission merchants and investors/traders. Mr. Burke became a member of the New York Cotton Exchange and New York Coffee, Sugar Cocoa Exchange and became a floor trader. The Burke Firm has represented clients in Forex and cryptocurrency matters. In 1987, the Burke Firm became a partner in the law firm of Marchi, Jaffe, Steinberg, Crystal Katz and Burke. From 1991 to 1993, the Burke Firm was a partner at Richards & O’Neill (now Morgan Lewis and formerly Bingham McCutchen). From 1993 to 1995 the Burke Firm was part of the futures litigation practice group at Townley & Updike. In January 2021, The Burke Firm became of Counsel to Scott + Scott Attorney at Law LLP, an international plaintiff’s class action law firm. At all times the Burke Firm continued its commodities/futures practice and has done so until the present. The Burke Firm has been involved in representing plaintiffs in class actions since the mid-1990’s that have recovered more than $3 billion..
Articles and publications: Alternate Dispute Resolution in the Futures Industry, (Juris 2013); “Energy Futures,” McGraw‑Hill (1983) contributing editor; “International Derivatives Law, A Country by Country Analysis,” Risk Publications (1996) contributing editor. Author: “Arbitrating Disputes in the Futures Industry,” ABA Securities News (1998); Ponzi Schemes: Common Tactics, Red Flags, and a Selection of Cases, UIA 53rd Congress, Seville, Spain (2009); Survey of Class Actions Alleging Violation of the CEA for Manipulation, ABA Business Law Section (2010).
Arbitrator: Mr. Burke has served as an arbitrator for the National Futures Association; FINRA; New York Cotton Exchange, Inc (“NYCA”); Coffee, Sugar, Cocoa Exchange, Inc. (“CSCE”); Finex Europe; Intercontinental Commodities Exchange, Inc. (“ICE”);
Bar Associations: Mr. Burke is a member of the following:
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York : (Member, Committee on Futures Regulation, (1990‑1991) (2006-2008) (2009-2012)(2014-Present); Chairman, Sub‑committee on Litigation Oversight, (1990-1991; 2018-2020); Delegate to UIA (2013-2018)).
American Bar Association: Member, Section on Corporation, Banking and Business Law; Section of Dispute Resolution (Member of Council 2015 – 2018; Co-Chair, Arbitration Committee, 2015-2018; Section of Litigation (Co-Chair, Committee on Securities Litigation (2000-2003); Co-Chair, International Litigation Committee (2003-2008); Council member (2009-2012); Co-Chair, Class Actions and Derivative Suits (2013-2014; 2017 – 2019); Co-Chair, Alternate Dispute Resolution (2014-2018); Advisory Committee to the Section of Dispute Resolution (2015-2018); Fellows Program (2019 – 2021):ABA Delegate to UIA (2005 to Present).
Union Internationale des Avocats (“UIA”) (President, UIA-USA Committee, (1999-2001); President, Commission on Financial Services, (1998-2000); Counsel to the President, (2001-2004); President, Litigation Commission (2003-2008); Executive Committee (2004 – 2016)).
Futures Industry Associations and memberships: Commodity Traders and Brokers Association (Director, 1990‑1993); Intercontinental Commodities Exchange (ICE) (NYCE and CSCE member with floor trading privileges, 1984-2008); The Volatility Exchange, Inc., President, (2007-2017).
May 2021
