Distinguished Alumnus: David Burman

The University of Wyoming debate team played a key role in Dave Burman’s life. There, he not only learned great advocacy skills that benefitted his impressive law career, but he also met his wife, DeeAnn.

“She’s the single best thing about the years then and since, and together we have two daughters who have made us extremely happy and proud,” he says.

After graduating with his political science degree in 1974, the Laramie native went on to study law at Georgetown and then clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t have considered me were it not for my Wyoming background,” Burman says. “In my interview, I exaggerated my athletic ability but did know a fishing spot near the Colorado border that he tested me on. Clerking was a superb start to my career, and highlights of the career since then are related to that. I’ve argued twice at the Supreme Court, although after Justice White retired. Even one argument there is a highly unusual and coveted opportunity for a litigator, and my first one was an important case in preserving a main source of funding for civil legal services for the poor. I’m very proud to have contributed

to that victory, and the experience of preparing for and arguing at that level was incredible.”

That victory highlights Burman’s ability as a trial lawyer and also his passion for giving back through volunteer and pro bono work.

Burman is a partner at Perkins Coie in Seattle, with 30 years of experience in litigation, including antitrust, appellate, class action, consumer protection, constitutional, media, patent and intellectual property and privacy. He has worked on many high-profile cases, and his client list includes giants such as Google, Zillow, Major League Baseball, Boeing and Amazon.

“Most of my cases are on behalf of businesses like Costco, Intel and Nintendo,” Burman says. “I’m fascinated by the intersection of legal issues and public policy, and that happens frequently in antitrust and intellectual property cases. My cases take me around the country.”

He continues: “I’ve tried to do my share of pro bono representation. I’ve represented five death-row inmates, including one now in Alabama, and handled free speech, gay and immigrant rights, and other constitutional cases. I’ve been a volunteer voter rights attorney for political campaigns.

“A highlight of my career was working for President Obama in the Chicago boiler room on election night in 2008 and 2012 and getting to spend most of a day with him once working on legal issues.”

Burman also gives back to UW and served six years on the College of Arts and Sciences advisory board, as well as speaking at the College of Law and to the UW debate team. His brother, Tom Burman, is UW’s director of athletics.

“I was surprised and humbled by the award,” Burman says of being named a distinguished alumnus. “I’m extremely proud of my Wyoming and UW background, and it is a great honor that someone thought I reflected well on UW.”