James T. Burton

James Burton is a trial attorney with extensive experience litigating intellectual property matters, including patent, trademark, copyright, false advertising, Lanham Act, and trade secret claims. Acting as a lead counsel, Mr. Burton has handled intellectual property cases in federal courts throughout the United States. Mr. Burton has experience in appellate matters, having obtained successful results in multiple federal and state courts of appeal.

Mr. Burton leads the firm’s healthcare litigation team, defending hospitals, healthcare facilities, physicians, and other healthcare providers, including the two largest hospital systems in Utah. He also represents hospitals in corrective action proceedings and fair hearing matters.

Mr. Burton serves on the firm’s Board of Directors and as the chair of the Litigation section. He previously served as the chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property section.

In 2014, Mr. Burton was appointed by Joachim Gauck, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, to serve as German Honorary Consul in Utah.

Education

• The George Washington University Law School, LLM, with highest honors, 2006
  • Highest grade, mediation and alternative dispute resolution
  • Highest grade, ethics in adjudication and settlement
• The Florida State University College of Law, JD, 2005
  • Dean’s academic honor List
  • Highest grade, advanced legal research
  • Blank-Miller Scholarship recipient
  • Research assistant, Donald J. Weidner, dean, Florida State University College of Law
  • Student ambassador
  • Founder, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Florida State University Chapter
  • Pro bono volunteer, Legal Services of North Florida
  • Extern, Florida First District Court of Appeals
• Utah State University, BA, cum laude, 2002
  • Dean’s academic honor list
  • Volunteer peer tutor
  • Legal intern, Utah First Judicial District Court

• Nevada
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• Utah
• Utah State and Federal Courts
• Virginia (inactive)

• Judicial Extern, Florida First District Court of Appeals

• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Master of the Bench, American Inn of Court
• J. Reuben Clark Law Society

• Legal 500 Salt Lake City Elite: Intellectual Property (2026)
• Best Lawyers^®: Litigation – Intellectual Property (2019-2022, 2024-2026)
• Utah Legal Elite: Civil Litigation (2021)
• Mountain State Super Lawyers: Intellectual Property Litigation (2021-2025)
• Utah Legal Elite: Intellectual Property (2017-2020)
• Mountain States Super Lawyer: Rising Star for Intellectual Property Litigation (2012-2019)
• 2017, honored by Utah Business magazine as a Forty Under 40 Rising Star
• Most Dedicated New Senior Attorney, Trial By Peers Pro Bono Youth-Offender Diversion Program (2007)

• Honorary Consul, Federal Republic of Germany (2014-present)
• President, Utah Consular Corps
• German-American Society
• Executive committee and board member, Christkindlmarkt SLC
• Salt Lake Rotary Club (Club 24)
• 2020 Friend of the Profession Award, Utah Foreign Language Association
• Kaysville City, volunteer of the month, January 2016
• Volunteer coach for multiple little league teams (basketball, football, baseball, and soccer)
• Former adjunct professor, Utah Valley University
• Former board member, Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy
• Former board member, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Salt Lake City Chapter
• Former Bar Examination Committee member, Utah State Bar
• Former high school varsity basketball referee
• Former Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate