This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
Skip Navigation skip menu and banner
University of Wyoming
John M. Burman

John M. Burman
Carl M. Williams Professor of Law & Ethics and Director of Legal Services Program
B.A., University of Wyoming (1978)
J.D., University of Minnesota (1981), magna cum laude
jmburman@uwyo.edu • (307) 766-2165 • 140 College of Law
Legal Services Office: (307) 766-2104 / 102 UW Office Annex

 

Office Hours:
Open Door Policy

 

John M. Burman is Carl M. Williams Professor of Law & Ethics at the University of Wyoming College of Law and Faculty Supervisor of the Legal Services Program. Since joining the faculty of the College of Law in 1989, Professor Burman has taught and written about torts and legal ethics. His ethics columns appear every two months in the Wyoming Lawyer.  In 2004, Professor Burman received the University of Wyoming's John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award, and he was named as Outstanding Faculty Member by the UW College of Law graduating classes of 1993, 1995 (co-recipient), 1998, 2002 and 2009 (co-recipient). Professor Burman also received the 2002 University of Wyoming Alumni Association and Student Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Award.

Professor Burman was a Fulbright Teaching Fellow at Petrozavodsk State University in Karelia, Russia in 1998. He served as a Clinical Legal Education Specialist in Moscow, Russia, for the American Bar Association's Central and East European Legal Initiative in the summer of 2000. In the summer of 2002, he worked for the United Nations Development Program in Minsk, Belarus, as a clinical evaluator and consultant. Professor Burman also consulted and taught in Jordan in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2006, Professor Burman received the University of Wyoming's Outstanding Faculty Commitment to Internationalization award (given by the university's International Board of Advisers).

Burman began his legal career as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota. Several years later, he entered private practice with the Laramie, Wyoming, law firm of Corthell and King. He is still of counsel at Corthell and King and he focuses his practice on consulting with lawyers about grievances and malpractice, often serving as an expert witness in such cases. In addition to his consulting and expert witness work, Professor Burman is actively involved in pro bono representation. In 2002, he was the recipient of the Wyoming State Bar's Pro Bono Award for legal service work for indigent clients. Professor Burman also received the Gideon Award from the Wyoming Public Defender's Office in 2005 "For Outstanding Contributions To the Ideals of Equal Justice and 'Gideon's Promise' That Any Person Accused of a Crime Is Entitled to the Benefit of Councel".

The Legal Services Program that Professor Burman supervises is a live-client clinic in which third year students represent low-income persons in civil matters which will not generate a fee. Most cases involve: (1) domestic matters (usually disputes over child custody); (2) juvenile cases (abuse and neglect);  (3) appeals from the denial of government benefits, such as Social Security Disability Benefits. Under supervision, students in the clinic perform all the roles of a lawyer, including making any necessary court appearances. In the summer of 2002, the Legal Services Program opened a Domestic Violence project in which students represent victims of domestic violence in civil matters. The Legal Services Program and the Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project received the Wyoming State Bar's 2007 Pro Bono Award for legal service work for indigent clients.
 

Teaching:
Legal Services Program, Professional Responsibility, and Torts I

 

Publications:

Book

Burman, J. (2008). PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN WYOMING (Wyoming State Bar 2008).

Book Chapter

Burman, J. (2004). Ethical and Legal Implications of Domestic Violence on Practicing Law., Chapter 1B. THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON YOUR LEGAL PRACTICE, American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence (2nd ed. 2004)

Ethics Columns

Burman, J. (2008). Dealing With an Opposing Party Who is Proceeding Pro se, Vol 31, No. 3, WYOMING LAWYER (June 2008)

Burman, J. (2008). Juvenile Court, Part I: The Rules of Procedure for Juvenile Courts, and the Transfer of the GAL Program to the Public Defender's Office, Vol. 31, No. 4, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2008).

Burman, J. (2008).  Juvenile Court, Part II:  Some of The Legal Knowledge Reasonably Necessary to be a Competent Guardian ad Litem. Vol. 31, No. 5, YWOMING LAWYER (October 2008).

Law Review Articles

Burman, J. (2008). Ethical Considerations When Representing Health Care Organizations. 7 Wyo. L. Rev. 373 (2008)

Burman, J. (2008). The Ethical Duties of Prosecutors of Detainees Who Appear Before Military Commissions. 18 Temp. Pol. & Civ. Rts. L. Rev. 69(2008).

Other Ethics Columns

Burman, J. (2008).  An Attorney's Duties Regarding ADR,including Mediation, and Intermediation, Vol 31, No. 1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2008).

Burman, J. (2007). Trial Publicity: Lawyers and Extrajudicial Statements, Vol 30, No4, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2007).

Burman, J. (2007).  An Attorney's Duty to Warn, Vol 30, No.1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2007).

Burman, J. (2007).  Prospective Clients and Clients with Diminished Capacity, Vol 30, No. 6, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2007).

Burman, J. (2007). Communications About Legal Services, Part II: the Constitutional Framework, Vol 30, No.3, WYOMING LAWYER (June 2007).

Burman, J. (2007). The Duty of Communication under the New Wyoming Rules, Vol 30, No.6, WYOMING LAWYER (October 2007).

Burman, J. (2007). Communications About Legal Services, Part I: the Constitutional Framework, Vol 30, No. 2, WYOMING LAWYER (April 2007).

Burman, J. (2006).  Teaching Legal Ethics (and other things) in Jordan,  Vol 29, No. 5, WYOMING LAWYER (October 2006).

Burman, J. (2006).  The Work Product Doctrine, Vol. 29, No. 2, WYOMING LAWYER (April 2006).

Burman, J. (2006).  The Disclosure of Confidential Information Under the New Wyoming Rules of Professioanal Conduct, Vol 29, No 6, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2006).

Burman, J. (2006).  Supreme Court Adopts Changes to the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, Vol. 29, No. 3, WYOMING LAWYER (June 2006).

Burman, J. (2006).  An Attorney's Ethical Obligations of Confidentiality Under the New Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, Vol 29, No. 4, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2006).

Burman, J. (2006).  Who May Practice Law in Wyoming, Vol. XXVII, No.5 WYOMING LAWYER (October 2006).

Burman, J. (2006).  The Attorney-Client Privilege: Part II, Waiver and Exceptions, Vol. 29, No.1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2006).

Burman, J. (2005).  Ownership, Access, and Retention of Client Files: An Update, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2005).  Reprinted in Planning Ahead: A guide to protecting your clients' interests in the event of your disability or death, 65 Wyoming State Bar (2006).

Burman, J. (2005).  Defining the Practice of Law: An Update, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3, WYOMING LAWYER (June 2005).

Burman, J. (2005). The Attorney-Client Privilege in Wyoming: The Basics, Vol XXVII, No. 6, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2005).

Burman, J. (2005). Committee Recommends Changes to the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, Vol. XXVIII., No.2, WYOMING LAWYER (April 2005).

Burman, J. (2005).  Wyoming's New Payment and Practice Standards for Guardians ad Litem in Juvenile Court, Vol. XXVII, No.4, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2005).

Burman, J. (2004). A Lawyer's Duties to Non-Clients, Vol. XXVII, No. 3, WYOMING LAWYER (June 2004)

Burman, J. (2004). A Lawyer's Fiduciary Duties, Vol. XXVII, No. 5, WYOMING LAWYER (October 2004).

Burman, J. (2004).  A Lawyer's Legal Duty to Clients, Vol. XXVII, No. 4, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2004).

Burman, J. (2004). Representing a Parent in a High-Conflict Contested Custody Case, Vol. XXVII, No.6, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2004).

Burman, J. (2004). Advising Clients About Non-Legal Factors, Vol. XXVII, No.1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2004).

Burman, J. (2004).  Leadership and Professionalism, Vol. XXVII, No. 2, WYOMING  LAWYER (April 2004), with the Honorable William U. Hill.

Burman, J. (2003). Defining the Practice of Law, Vol. XXVI, No. 6, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2003).

Burman, J. (2003). Recent Amendments to the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, Part I: Unbundled Legal Services, Vol XXVI, No. 1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2003).

Burman, J. (2003).  Recent Amendments to the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, Part II: Rules for Guardians ad Litem Vol XXVI, No. 2, WYOMING LAWYER (April 2003).

Burman, J. (2003). Cross-examining a Witness About the Witness's Contacts With His or Her Lawyer, Vol. XXVI, No. 4, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2003).

Burman, J. (2003).  Wyoming New Disciplinary Code, Vol. XXVI, No. 5, WYOMING LAWYER (2003).

Burman, J. (2002).  Representing Organizations: Part III, Conflict of Interest,  Vol. XXV, No. IV, WYOMING LAWYER (August 2002).

Burman, J. (2002). Representing Organizations: Part I, Who is the Client and With Whom Should the Lawyer Interact?  Vol. XXV, No. II, WYOMING LAWYER (April 2002).

Burman, J. (2002).  Attorneys' Reporting Obligations, Vol. XXV, No. V, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2002).

Burman, J. (2002). Lawyers and Domestic Violence: Part III, Vol. XXV, No. 1, WYOMING LAWYER (February 2002).

Burman, J. (2002).  Representing Organizations: Part II, A Lawyer's Whistle blowing Obligation Vol. XXV, No. III, WYOMING LAWYER (June 2002).

Burman, J. (2001). Lawyers and Domestic Violence: Part I, Vol. XXIV, No. 5 WYOMING LAWYER (October 2001).

Burman, J. (2001).  Lawyers and Domestic Violence: Part II, Vol. XXIV, No. 6, WYOMING LAWYER (December 2001).

Burman, J. (2001). The Role of Trial Courts in Regulating Lawyers' Conduct,  Vol. XXIV, No. 4 WYOMING LAWYER (August 2001).

Burman, J. (2001). The Anti-Contact Rule and Communications With Government Entities, Vol. XXIV, No. 1,  WYOMING LAWYER (February 2001).

Burman, J. (2001). The Supervisory Responsibilities of Lawyers, Vol. XXIV, No. 2 WYOMING LAWYER (April 2001).

Burman, J. (2001). Meritorious Claims and Defenses, Vol. XXIV, No. 3,  WYOMING LAWYER (June 2001).

Other Law Review Articles

Burman, J. (2007).  Substantial portions of Ethical Considerations When Representing Organizations were represented in S.  S. Fortney and V. R. Johnson LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW, PROBLEMS AND PREVENTION 350-64 (Thomson-West. 2007).

Burman, J. (2006).  Non-SEC Whistle-blowing Obligations of Lawyers Who Represent Organizations, 46 WASH. L. J. 127 (2006)

Burman, J. (2005).  Wyoming Attorneys' Pro Bono "Obligation, 5, Wyo. L. Rev. 421 (2005).

Burman, J. (2004).  Juvenile injustice in Wyoming, 4 WYO. L. REV. 669 (2004). Quoted in Boltan v. State, 2008 WY 27, 14.

Burman, J. (2003). Ethical Considerations When Representing Organizations, 3 WYO. L. REV. 582 (2003).

Burman, J. (2003). Lawyers and Domestic Violence: Raising the Standard of Practice, 9 MICH. J. GENDER & LAW 207 (2003).

Burman, J. (2002).  The Role of Clinical Legal Education in Developing the Rule of Law in Russia, 2 WYO. L. REV. 89 (2002)

Burman, J. (2001).  Oral Examinations as a Method of Evaluating Law Students, 51 J. LEGAL EDUC. 130 (March 2001).

Burman, J. (2000).  Conflict of Interest in Wyoming, XXXV LAND AND WATER L. REV. 79 (2000).  Cited in Simpson  Performance Products, Inc. v. Robert W. Horn, P.C., 92 P. 3D 283; 285, n. 1 & 287 (Wyo. 2004); and Asch v. State, 62 P. 3d 945, 952, n.3 & 954, n.6 (Wyo. 2003).

Other Publications

Burman, J. (2005). Co-author (with Professor Marcia Levy) Legal Education Assessment, Jordan Judicial Upgrading Strategy Assessment Series, published and distributed in Jordan by ABA/CEELI (April 2005).

Burman, J. (1998).  Realizing the Dream:   The Role of Clinical Legal Education in Protecting Children's Rights. Address delivered at an International Conference on Human Rights celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The conference was sponsored by the United Nations and was held in Saratov, Russia, October 7-9, 1998. The address was translated into Russian and published as part of the Official Proceedings of the conference.

Recent Presentations

Burman, J. (2008).  (Presenter): The Ethical Obligations of Guardians ad Litem. Wyoming Supreme Court, Children's Justice Project/Guardian ad Litem Program, 2008 Conference (June 16-18) Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Burman, J. (2008).  (Presenter ): Legal and Ethical issues and Aging . Wyoming Department of Health, Mental Health and Substance abuse, Conference on Aging(May 20-21) Casper, Wyoming.

Burman, J. (2008).  (Presenter): Juvenile Court. Wyoming Supreme Court, Children's Justice Project/Guardian ad Litem Program, 2008 Conference (June 16-18) Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Burman, J. (2008).  (Panelist (with Justice Hill, Judge Guthrie, and Judge Hartman)): State of Children's Affairs in Wyoming & Innovative Juvenile Court Practice. Wyoming Supreme Court, Children's Justice Project/Guardian ad Litem Program, 2008 Conference (June 16-18) Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Burman, J. (2008).  (Co-Presenter (with Traci Mears)): Roles and Duties of Attorney Guardians ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocates. Wyoming Supreme Court, Children's Justice Project/Guardian ad Litem Program, 2008 Conference (June 16-18) Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Burman, J. (2008).  (Moderator of Panel): Roles and Duties of Law Enforcement, Department of Family Services & County/District Attorneys. Wyoming Supreme Court, Children's Justice Project/Guardian ad Litem Program, 2008 Conference (June 16-18) Cheyenne, Wyoming.

 

Press releases: