Keith D. Burns

Of Counsel

Keith Burns

Contact Info

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Phone: 919.806.2047
Fax: 919.806.2057
Email: Click Here

Keith D. Burns is Of Counsel in the firm’s Real Estate Development and Finance, Corporate, Commercial Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions Practices and manages the Raleigh-Durham office. Mr. Burns serves as lenders’ counsel in connection with original loans, refinances and restructuring, and provides a full range of legal services to businesses and their owners regarding the formation of LLCs, corporations, and partnerships; business transactions such as real estate purchases, leases, supplier and customer contracts, acquisitions, and dissolution; employment contracts, general contracts, and dispute resolution; and litigation services related to the foregoing. 

Mr. Burns is frequently asked to speak on issues related to business and real estate law and is a contributing author for the West Group Practice Guide to North Carolina Evidence.

Recent Experience

  • Representation of lenders in a number of loans for acquisition, development or refinance of properties, ranging in size from $1 million to $29 million.
  • Representation of home builders in multiple acquisitions of raw land ranging from approximately 65 to 150 acres (including assemblages that require multiple simultaneous closings) and related development activities.
  • Representation of regional and local developers in the acquisition of raw land ranging from approximately 20 to 220 acres (including assemblages that require multiple simultaneous closings) related development activities, and sales to regional and national homebuilders.
  • Representation of national and local investors in the acquisition of shopping centers.
  • Representation of a local developer in the acquisition (including multiple simultaneous closings), development, negotiation of public/private partnership agreements, and sales for a 500 acre business park.
  • Representation of a regional developer with the acquisition, development and sales of a 200+ acre mixed use development.
  • Representation of a joint venture of local investors and a national REIT in the acquisition, redevelopment, and leasing of a manufacturing facility.
  • Representation of purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of various businesses, including a commercial outdoor lighting contractor; commercial flooring and acoustical contractor; commercial millwork company; a retail and mail-order company; a security installation and monitoring company; an electrical transformer repair and service company; a multi-location restaurant business with related franchise and development rights, and a state-wide storage company/franchise.
  • Representation of various landlords and tenants in the preparation and negotiation of commercial leases.

Honors and Affiliations

Chair, Duke-Durham Campaign (2012)

Chair, Durham District of the Boy Scouts of America

Chair, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce (2009)

Executive Committee, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce (2012)

Recipient, North Carolina Bar Association's Citizen Lawyer Award (2012)

Board of Directors, Research Triangle Regional Partnership

Legal Advisor, Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties

Sponsor Committee, Urban Land Institute (ULI)

Named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by Triangle Business Journal (2004)

American Bar Association

    Business Law Section (Section Fellow, 2003-2005)

    Real Property Section

North Carolina Bar Association

    Business Law Section

    Real Property Section

    Employment Law Section

Past President, Braxton Craven Inn of Court (2004-2005)

Past Chair, Durham County Habitat for Humanity (1999-2000)

Past Chair, Durham County Meals on Wheels (1999-2000)

 

Speaking Engagements

Recent News

Practice Areas

Industries

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina, 1993

Law School(s)

  • Wake Forest University School of Law, 1993Juris Doctor (J.D.)
    • Robert Goldberg Award in Trial Advocacy
    • Order of Barristers
    • National Trial Team 1992-93

Under Grad / Grad
School(s)

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1989Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)