Atty. Brian Sullivan
Profile Brian’s practice focuses on Vermont land use, zoning and regulatory matters and resulting appellate litigation, and immigration law. Brian has appeared before numerous municipal zoning and planning boards in Vermont and has practiced before each of the District Environmental Commissions that are responsible for administering Act 250 (Vermont’s statewide land use law).
Land Use and Appellate Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Burlington, VT · 39+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Brian Sullivan at a Glance
Brian Sullivan is a Member based in Burlington, Vermont. They have 39+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1987. Their practice focuses on immigration and zoning. Admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1987), Illinois (1987), Vermont (1990), and U.S. District Court, District of Vermont (1990). Educated at Harvard Law School (J.D., 1987) and University of Chicago (B.A., 1984). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Vermont Bar Association Chittenden County Bar Association American Bar Association. Provides legal services in English German and Spanish Portuguese. Serves clients in Burlington, VT and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Brian Sullivan
- Profile Brian’s practice focuses on Vermont land use, zoning and regulatory matters and resulting appellate litigation, and immigration law
- Brian has appeared before numerous municipal zoning and planning boards in Vermont and has practiced before each of the District Environmental Commissions that are responsible for administering Act 250 (Vermont’s statewide land use law)
- Through the appellate process, Brian has also represented clients before the Vermont Environmental Court, the former Vermont Environmental Board, the Vermont Supreme Court, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court
- Within the area of land use and zoning law, Brian has developed a further area of concentration representing telecommunications companies in their network development operations, including acquiring real property for the purpose of siting telecommunications facilities, obtaining state and municipal land use permits to enable the development of those facilities, and handling post-approval compliance matters
- In his telecommunications work, Brian has represented both wireless communications service providers and developers of associated infrastructure
- Through this representation, Brian has acquired significant experience practicing before the Vermont Public Utility Commission (formerly Public Service Board)
- Brian also represents businesses and individuals in the process of obtaining non-immigrant and immigrant visas, both in employment-based and family-based cases
- He represents individuals in the process of naturalization
- Brian has represented clients before the U.S
- Department of Labor, USCIS Service Centers, as well as the USCIS St. Albans, Vermont Field Office, several U.S
- Consulates and Ports of Entry
- Brian heads MSK’s immigration practice and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and the Vermont Human Resource Association
- Brian began his legal career with Sidley & Austin in Chicago
- He relocated to Burlington, Vermont in 1989 and joined Burak Anderson & Melloni, where he became a partner and remained until becoming a founding member of MSK in February 2004
- Brian’s interests include fitness, amateur radio (call sign KC1MER), aviation and travel
- Brian has a near fluency in Spanish, French and Brazilian-Portuguese and a strong working knowledge of Italian
- Representative Engagements - Represented the nation’s largest wireless telecommunications carrier in all of its permitting, environmental compliance and litigation matters over the last 20 years. - Represented a Vermont developer in connection with development of an office building with national tenants. - Represented clients in litigation matters before the U.S
- District Court for Vermont, the Second Circuit, the U.S
- Supreme Court and the Vermont Supreme Court
Practice Areas Explained
Brian Sullivan's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brian Sullivan handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Burlington.
Immigration Law in Burlington
Immigration attorneys help with green cards, visas, citizenship, asylum, and deportation defense. Find a verified immigration lawyer for your case.
Brian Sullivan is one of 40,259 immigration attorneys indexed nationally. Browse immigration attorneys in Vermont →
Land Use & Zoning in Burlington
Brian Sullivan is one of 39,875 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Vermont →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Burlington
Practicing law in Vermont. Legal matters in Vermont are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Burlington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Vermont state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Vermont brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Vermont courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Burlington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Burlington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Vermont attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Burlington or all attorneys in Vermont.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Burlington Choose Brian Sullivan
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Brian Sullivan's practice in the field of immigration and zoning.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Brian Sullivan brings 39+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Illinois, and Vermont, Brian Sullivan can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering immigration and zoning, Brian Sullivan can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Burlington
A Burlington-based practice means Brian Sullivan attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Brian Sullivan Handles in Burlington
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Brian Sullivan has experience with under Vermont law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Brian Sullivan directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Brian Sullivan Online
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Brian Sullivan's Practice Areas & Specializations
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