Our Attorneys
Timothy M. Burke is a Founding Partner of Fraternal Law Partners. His practice is primarily devoted to representing governmental entities, representing clients in front of governmental decision-making bodies, or litigation for or against governmental entities. Burke is also well-versed in assisting fraternities, sororities and their related non-profit organizations with issues related to corporate governance, risk management and anti-hazing policy. He is often asked to speak on topics including municipal law, land use and zoning, eminent domain, civil rights and elections law. He has also served as Special Counsel to the Attorney General of Ohio. He is a frequent contributor to the Fraternal Law Newsletter, a quarterly publication dedicated to the legal issues relevant to Greek life organizations.
Burke’s accolades include the AV® Preeminent™ rating in Martindale-Hubbell, listing as an Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics Magazine, and recognition among the Best Lawyers in America®. He is also extremely active in the Greater Cincinnati community. He served on the Ohio Board of Regents, the Hamilton County Board of Elections, the Cincinnati Park Board, the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Zoo, and was the Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party for 24 years.
Burke earned his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati (1977) and a B.A. from Xavier University (1970). He is a member of the Cincinnati and American Bar Associations, and the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association.
Quick Facts
Office:
225 West Court Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Practice Areas:
Land Use & Zoning
Constitutional Law & Civil Rights
Local Government
Litigation
Admissions
All Ohio State Courts
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Admitted for specific cases in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania
Education
1977, J.D., University of Cincinnati
1970, A.B., Xavier University
Professional Associations
Cincinnati Bar Association
American Bar Association Ohio
Municipal Attorneys Association
Achievements
AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell National Legal Directory
“Ohio Super Lawyer” (2004-present)
Best Lawyers in America (2008-2018); recognized in 3 areas:
- Government Relations Practice
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation – Municipal
Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for:
- Litigation- Municipal Cincinnati (2019)
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Cincinnati (2017)
- Litigation – Municipal, Cincinnati (2016)
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Cincinnati (2015)
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Cincinnati (2012)
- Land Use and Zoning Law, Cincinnati (2011)
Community Affiliations
Ohio Board of Regents, since 2008-2014
Hamilton County Board of Elections 1993-2019, more than 20 years as Chair
Chair, Hamilton County Democratic Party,1993-2018
Trustee, Cincinnati Zoo, 1980-1991
Chair, Senator Sherrod Brown’s Committee to Advise on Selection of the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshall for the No. District of Ohio, 2009
Get Out The Vote training session, four cities in Slovakia – under contract to U.S. State Department, 2002
President, Xavier University, Alumni Board of Governors, 1981-1982
International Supervisor of Election, Bosnia/Herzegovina, 1997
Commissioner, Cincinnati Park Board, 1991-1994
Publications
Numerous articles in Fraternal Law, published by Manley Burke for last 37 years, at least four times an academic year
Formerly served as frequent guest commentator on local NPR station
“The Right to Freedom of Association: Public/Private Distinctions (Chapter XII) in the Administration of Fraternal Organizations on North American Campuses: A Pattern for the New Millennium,” by Dennis E. Gregory and Associates, 2003
Presentations
2019, 2018, 2017, 2015 Presenter of Legal Updates Involving Fraternities and Sororities at the Stetson College of Law Annual National Conference on the Law and Higher Education
2011 – Panelist, National Conference on Law and Higher Education, “The Roberts Court and Free Speech,” Orlando, Florida
2010 – Presenter, “Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, 561 US __ (June 28, 2010). A Discussion of the Decision and its Impacts,” a national webinar sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy at Stetson University College of Law, August 2010
Previous National Convention Presentations on fraternity legal issues for Pi Beta Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Sigma Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Fraternity Executives Convention, Association of Fraternity Advisors and National Panhellenic Conference, and National Association of College and University Attorneys
Campus presentations have included Ohio State University, Miami University, Wittenberg University, Cornell University, Washington and Lee University, Morehead State University, Findlay College and the University of Cincinnati
Previous National Convention Presentations on zoning and land use, American Planning Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Recreation and Parks Association, National Association of Community and Economic Development Officers
Served as Adjunct Faculty member at both Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati
Numerous regional, state and local presentations on zoning and land use, eminent domain and election law
