Atty. Brian Sullivan

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).

Burlington Burlington 39 yrs experience 39 year
Call (802) 861-7000 Book Appointment

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. Serands clients in Burlington, VT and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • 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 Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brian Sullivan handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Immigration Law

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 40,633 immigration attorneys indexed nationally. Browse immigration attorneys in Vermont →

Land Use & Zoning

Brian Sullivan is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Vermont →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Vermont

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 andnue, 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.

Looking for additional Vermont attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Burlington or all attorneys in Vermont.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Brian Sullivan

Where is Brian Sullivan's law office located?
Brian Sullivan's law practice is located in Burlington, Vermont. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Brian Sullivan handle?
Brian Sullivan focuses on immigration, zoning. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Vermont.
How long has Brian Sullivan practiced law?
Brian Sullivan has 39+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1987.
What languages does Brian Sullivan speak?
Brian Sullivan provides legal services in English German, Spanish Portuguese. Bilingual representation can be especially important when contracts, testimony, or court filings require accurate translation.
Where did Brian Sullivan go to law school?
Brian Sullivan earned their education at (J.D., 1987); (B.A., 1984).
How can I contact Brian Sullivan for a consultation?
You can contact Brian Sullivan directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Brian Sullivan received?
Brian Sullivan's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Harvard Law School
- 1987
B.A.
University of Chicago
- 1984

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Admitted: 1987
Illinois
Admitted: 1987
Vermont
Admitted: 1990
U.S. District Court, District of Vermont
Admitted: 1990
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Admitted: 1998
U.S. Supreme Court
Admitted: 2000
Massachusetts
Admitted: 2009

Reviews

4.8
13 Review
5 0
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0
These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.