Ethan S. Burger

Current

Senior Counsel / Adjunct Professor at Maxwell & Barke / Georgetown University Law Center

Past

Managing Director at International Legal Malpractice Advisors
Project Director & Research Professor at American University
Member (Partner) at Ludwig & Robinson

Senior International Counsel at Russin & Vecchi, L.L.P
Associate at Salans, Hertzfeld & Heilbronn
Associate at Patton Boggs & Blow

see less...

3 more...

Education

Georgetown University Law Center
Harvard University

Connections

116 connections

Industry

Law Practice

Websites

Ethan S. Burger’s Summary

Ethan S. Burger is Senior Counsel to Maxwell & Barke, LLC and an Adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Burger has practiced law for more than 18 years. He specializes in Russian and Belarusian legal and political matters, international economic crime (e.g. the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act cases), age discrimination matters, and professional responsibility/legal malpractice issues. He is on Russia Profile's Panel of Experts. He is available for performing legal audits of Russian firms on behalf of Western clients.

He has written more than 50 articles, which have appeared in academic and professional journals. He has taught Business Organizations, Comparative Corporate Governance, International Economic Crime & Corruption, International Practice & Ethical Dilemmas, and Conflict and Resolution of Problems in Post-Soviet Russia at GULC, Washington College of Law, Universidad Sergio Arboleda, and the University of Baltimore.

He has given presentations at numerous events including those of the American Bar Association, Harvard University's Davis Center, Columbia University's Harriman Center, International Bar Association, International Law Institute, International Monetary Fund, Kennan Institute, New York University, Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), University of Toronto's Center for Criminology, and World Bank.

He has been an expert witness in administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and judicial matters, as well as appeared on radio and television both in the U.S. and abroad. He received his B.A. from Harvard University (magna cum laude, 1981) and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (cum laude, 1989).

Some of his recent on-line columns are available at http://www.rgemonitor.com/latam-monitor/author_name/eburger/Ethan-S-Burger -- which is Professor Nouriel Roubini's Global Economonitor.

Ethan S. Burger’s Specialties:

See above

Ethan S. Burger’s Experience

Senior Counsel / Adjunct Professor

Maxwell & Barke / Georgetown University Law Center

(Law Practice industry)

August 2008 — Present (1 year 5 months)

(Maxwell & Barke LLC) Advising clients on matters involving international economic crime, legal malpractice/professional responsibility, and age discrimination. Participating in various aspects of dispute resolution, including arbitration, collaborative conflict resolution, litigation and mediation. Engaging in case evaluation and client development.

I have been teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, American University's Washington College of Law and School of International Service, and University of Baltimore for 7 years (international economic crime, comparative corporate governance, international practice and ethical dilemmas, corporations and business ethics, and conflict and resolution in contemporary Russia).
Managing Director

International Legal Malpractice Advisors

(Legal Services industry)

August 2003 — September 2008 (5 years 2 months)

Operated start-up legal/consulting firm that provided legal and consulting services on international legal malpractice matters and law firm management issues. Acted as an expert on questions on foreign law (Russian and Belarusian) in U.S. judicial proceeding. Served as an arbitrator in attorney/client fee disputes. Conducted research in support of on-going litigation and performing case assessments. Served as expert witness on matters involving international economic crime and corruption.
Project Director & Research Professor

American University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

January 2001 — July 2003 (2 years 7 months)

The Transnational Crime & Corruption Center (TraCCC), School of International Service; Research Associate Professor; Washington College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Washington, D.C. 2001-2003. Managed overseas research centers studying international criminal activities and corruption. Solicited and edited articles for journal. Conducted seminars and made presentations. Taught research seminars “Conflict and Resolution in Post-Soviet Russia” (Spring 2002) and “Comparative Corporate Governance” (Spring 2003).
Member (Partner)

Ludwig & Robinson

(Law Practice industry)

November 1999 — May 2001 (1 year 7 months)

Participated in all aspects of commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution, with an emphasis on cases involving recovery of assets lost as a result of embezzlements, and inaccurate advice on foreign investments. Worked with private investigators to locate laundered funds. Handled lawsuits in the area of auditing, engineering and medical malpractice.
Senior International Counsel

Russin & Vecchi, L.L.P

(Law Practice industry)

May 1997 — October 1999 (2 years 6 months)

Ukrainian Legal Group). Advised clients on aspects of doing business in Russia and Ukraine. Ensured quality control over Russian and Ukrainian attorneys' work product. Advised clients on how to deal with corrupt officials and threats made by organized crime groups. Analyzed political and legal risk of proposed investments/transactions. Led team of attorneys for a USAID Net Assessment of Contract/Judgment Enforcement and Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ukraine.
Associate

Salans, Hertzfeld & Heilbronn

(Law Practice industry)

November 1992 — May 1997 (4 years 7 months)

Advised clients on corporate and commercial matters in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Belarus. Principal activities included: (i) structuring and restructuring of foreign investment, (ii) preparation of loan, pledge, purchase-sale and real estate contracts, including in connection with project finance and privatization, and (iii) due diligence on potential acquisitions and joint ventures. Advised clients on political and economic risk of particular transactions (including that posed by corrupt officials and organized crime groups
Associate

Patton Boggs & Blow

(Law Practice industry)

September 1989 — November 1992 (3 years 3 months)

Represented clients on international trade regulation, SEC, HUD, FDIC and environmental matters. Researched and wrote complaints and motions, conducted depositions, and argued motions in judicial and administrative proceedings, principally involving legal malpractice committed by attorneys in Texas in connection with the failure of three S&Ls. Participated in investigation of activities at BCCI and a Civil RICO matter involving the trucking industry. Served as Special Counsel for Lawyers Committee for Human Rights for CSCE Activities.

BARS AND PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Ethan S. Burger’s Education

Georgetown University Law Center

JD , Emphasis on international and labor matters , 1986 — 1989

Activities and Societies:

American Criminal Law Review
Harvard University

AB , Russian/Soviet Studies , 1978 — 1981

Additional Information

Ethan S. Burger’s Websites:

Ethan S. Burger’s Interests:

-- history; -- international travel; and -- foreign films.

Ethan S. Burger’s Groups:

District of Columbia Bar, 1989 – Present; U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 1989-92 and 2005-Present.

Maryland State Bar, 2000 – Present; U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 2005-Present

Member, American Bar Association, 1989 - Present (Criminal Law, International Section and ABA Center for Responsibility)

Mediator and Arbitrator, D.C. Bar Attorney/Client Arbitration Board, 1997 - Present.

Member, International Bar Association, 1997-2001 and 2006 - Present.

Member, American Academy of Legal Studies in Business, 2004 - Present.

Canadian Bar Association (Ontario Section), 2005 - Present.

Member, D.C. Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee, 2005 - 2007.