Robert A. Burke - West Chester, PA
Attorney at MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
Estates & Trusts Lawyers in West Chester, PA
17 West Miner Street West Chester, PA 19382
- 1 Super Lawyers®
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36
Years
Experience
West Chester Estates & Trusts Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Estates & Trusts
- Commercial Litigation
- Trust & Estate Litigation
- Guardianships
- Trademark & Trade Secret Litigation
Attorney Information
Overview
Mr. Burke is an active trial attorney who has tried cases to verdict in six different jurisdictions. His practice is focused on complex commercial and estate and trust litigation. This includes trial and appellate work in federal, state and international courts. He regularly presents matters before alternative dispute resolution panels and frequently lectures on trial tactics, practice and procedure. He has appeared before the United States Court of Appeals in both the Third and Sixth Circuits.
Mr. Burke advises clients in the areas of:
• Commercial and corporate litigation
• Trust, Estate and Orphans' Court litigation
• Resolution of partnership and shareholder disputes
• Intellectual property disputes
Prior to joining MacElree Harvey, Bob was a partner at Blank Rome, a large law firm in Philadelphia, where he worked for fourteen years. Before that, he was associated with a large firm in Northern New Jersey for five years. Following law school, Bob clerked for a Federal District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey.
Notable Representations
Successful resolution of Orphans' Court dispute over control of charitable organization.
Obtained verdict successfully overturning last will and testament arising out of undue influence.
Obtained injunctive relief to protect client from theft of valuable trade secrets.
Obtained $13.5 million verdict for estate of child killed in fire caused by defective product.
Representation of foreign government regarding protection of assets in United States and over 30 foreign jurisdictions.
Successful resolution of international dispute relating to distribution of life insurance proceeds in excess of $10 million.
Represented major technology firm in the resolution of contentious shareholder litigation.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Top Lawyer, 2014
- Super Lawyers
Other Sources of Feedback About Robert A. Burke
Included on the 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Seton Hall University School of Law,
Newark,
New Jersey, 1990
J.D.
Law Review: Seton Hall University School of Law, Editor
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Seton Hall University School of Law,
Newark,
New Jersey, 1990
-
Non Legal Education
-
Villanova University, 1987
B.A.
Major: English
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Villanova University, 1987
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Past Positions
- Blank Rome, Partner
- Federal District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey, Clerk
Classes and Seminars
-
Nov. 2015: How to Give Compelling Opening Statements
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Oct. 2014: Estate Litigation Practice and Procedures
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Jan. 2014: Effective Litigation Techniques
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Oct. 2013: Non-Competition Agreements
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Oct. 2013: Litigating Commercial Contracts
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May 2012: Electronic Discovery in Litigation
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Oct. 2011: Protecting Your Business From Litigation
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June 2011: Wage and Hour Issues for Businesses
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May 2010: Medicare Secondary Reporting and DPW Liens
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April 2010: Preparing Written Discovery Responses and Objections
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July 2009: Deposition Strategy: Practice and Procedure
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Jan. 2009: Benefits and Pitfalls of Arbitration
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Jan. 2008: Conducting Discovery in Foreign Countries
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Dec. 2007: Good Deals Gone Bad – A Litigator’s Hindsight is Always 20/20
- Dec. 2006: Litigators’ Perspective on Corporate Transaction Documents
Pro Bono Activities
- Bow Tree Civic Association, President, Board Member
- West Chester Running Club
- Race Director for a community 10K and 5K road race to raise funds for police and fire departments
Published Works
Articles
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Commercial Litigation Ten Things To Do and Not To Do
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Guardianships Under Pennsylvania Law
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Common Questions Regarding Will Contests – How to Cope With Legal Challenges to a Last Will
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Other Affiliations
- Chester County Bar Association, 2015 - Present (Board of Directors)
- Stively American Inn of Court, 2014 - Present (President)
- Chester County Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association
Photo
Contact
17 West Miner Street
West Chester, PA 19382
Phone: 610-314-7020
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.macelree.com/
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