Atty. Guy M. Burns
Guy has over 40 years of trial experience with over 100 trials in State and Federal Courts, as well as dozens of trials conducted before arbitration panels. He primarily represents plaintiffs in complex commercial, securities, financial malpractice and consumer fraud litigation and in class actions, generally on a contingency fee basis.
Litigation - Banking and Finance & More Attorney · Serving Tampa, FL
Profile Summary
About Guy M. Burns at a Glance
Guy M. Burns is a business, securities, litigation, and energy attorney based in Tampa, Florida, practicing at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP. Admitted to practice in Florida, American Bar Association, Florida, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and Florida, The Florida Bar. Educated at University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law (J.D., 1973). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Banking and Finance (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Securities (2026). Serves clients in Tampa, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Guy M. Burns
- Guy has over 40 years of trial experience with over 100 trials in State and Federal Courts, as well as dozens of trials conducted before arbitration panels
- He primarily represents plaintiffs in complex commercial, securities, financial malpractice and consumer fraud litigation and in class actions, generally on a contingency fee basis
- He also represents defendants in selected large, complex commercial disputes
- He has successfully represented plaintiffs in numerous disputes against brokerage firms, investment advisers, insurance companies, law firms, accounting firms and other corporate and financial institutions
- Guy has represented clients who have record-setting awards and settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
- Guy has a long history of representing plaintiffs on a pro bono basis in numerous public interest cases in both State and Federal Courts
- These cases have arisen out of discrimination based upon race, gender and sexual orientation
- He has also represented plaintiffs in litigating constitutional claims relating to education and public housing
- Guy has been listed for many years as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” for commercial and financial litigation, and he has regularly been named to the lists of “Florida’s Legal Elite”, “Bet the Company Trial Lawyers” and “Super Lawyers”
- For 2013, he was named by Best Lawyers in America as “Lawyer of the Year” in the category of Banking and Financial Litigation
- He has now been named as “Lawyer of the Year” three times in the categories dealing with securities and financial litigation
Practice Areas Explained
Guy M. Burns's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Guy M. Burns handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Tampa.
Business & Corporate Law in Tampa
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Guy M. Burns is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Florida →
Securities Law in Tampa
Guy M. Burns is one of 64,075 securities attorneys indexed nationally. Browse securities attorneys in Florida →
Civil Litigation in Tampa
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Guy M. Burns is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Florida →
Energy & Utilities Law in Tampa
Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.
Guy M. Burns is one of 35,985 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Tampa
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Tampa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida 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 Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Tampa Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Tampa-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 Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tampa or all attorneys in Florida.
Frequently Asked
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Tampa Choose Guy M. Burns
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 Guy M. Burns's practice in the field of business, securities, litigation, and energy.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Florida, American Bar Association, Florida, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and Florida, The Florida Bar, Guy M. Burns can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business, securities, and litigation, Guy M. Burns can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Tampa
A Tampa-based practice means Guy M. Burns 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 Guy M. Burns Handles in Tampa
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Guy M. Burns has experience with under Florida 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 Guy M. Burns directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Guy M. Burns Online
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Guy M. Burns's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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