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Much of Timothy M. Burke’s practice is devoted to local government law and the government decision-making process. His background prepared him for that. He spent four years in Cincinnati City Hall as Legislative Assistant to then Council member Jerry Springer (yes, that Jerry Springer), served as Executive Director of Little Miami, Inc., a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of the Little Miami River, a state and national scenic river, and twice served on the staff of Congressman Tom Luken. Today, 50% of his practice involves representing governmental entities, representing clients in front of governmental decision-making bodies, or litigation for or against governmental entities. He served as Law Director for one of Cincinnati’s suburbs, Lockland, for more than 40 years, retiring from that position at the end of 2021. Tim also served as Law Director for another suburb, the Village of Evendale for 20 years, retiring from that position in May of 2022. He has frequently served as Special Counsel to numerous other local governments and often is 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.
Mr. Burke also maintains an extensive national practice, representing fraternities and sororities and speaks at several national conferences each year.
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
1973, J.D., University of Cincinnati
1970, A.B., Xavier University
Professional Associations
Cincinnati Bar Association
American Bar Association Ohio
Municipal Attorneys Association
Achievements
Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Government Relations Practice and Litigation in two areas- Municipal and Land Use & Zoning- since 2007
Rated as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” since 2004
Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale.com- the highest available peer rating
Four-time Lawyer of the Year for Land Use & Zoning (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017)
Three-time Lawyer of the Year for Municipal Litigation (2016, 2019, 2021)
Served as adjunct faculty member at both Xavier and University of Cincinnati
Community Affiliations
Ohio Board of Regents, 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
Member, 2020-2021, Cincinnati, 9 Member Panel on Economic Development Reform. Established following the arrest of 3 City Council Members in one year by the FBI.
Publications
Numerous articles in Fraternal Law, published by Manley Burke for last 40 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 Annual National Conference on the Law and Higher Education Sponsored by Stetson Law School
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
2010 – Lecturer, “The Consequences of Failing to Uphold Standards,” Chi Omega National Convention, Orlando, Florida, June 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 Xavier University, 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
Numerous regional, state and local presentations on zoning and land use, eminent domain and election law
