Stephen D. Burns

Steve focuses his practice on FINRA arbitrations, estate planning and administration, special needs planning, guardianships and conservatorships, and fiduciary litigation. He is also qualified to serve as a Guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults. 

After graduating from Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, Steve clerked for the judges of Arlington County Circuit Court. Upon completion of his clerkship, he entered private practice with a firm specializing in commercial litigation and securities arbitration. There, Steve represented both regional and national financial institutions in the recovery of consumer and commercial loans in state and federal courts, including the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District, and in particular, arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

After law school, Steve also became involved with the Special Olympics, serving as a unified partner, volunteer, and coach for the bowling, basketball, and softball programs. Steve was honored to represent his region at the national bowling tournament in Las Vegas as a unified partner in bowling. Currently, Steve serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Henrico and Hanover County Special Olympics.

Steve’s work with the special needs community led him to expand his practice and join a practice in Arlington that concentrated in elder law. Steve guided hundreds of families through the guardianship and conservatorship process, advised families on asset management for their special needs child, and prepared special needs trusts to protect assets and to insure adults with disabilities retained their Social Security and Medicaid eligibility. He has also served as a guardian, conservator and trustee for members of the community, and has represented individuals in contested guardianship and conservatorship matters.

Steve has extensive experience advising individuals and families with their estate planning, which includes the preparation of Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Medical Directives, and Wills and Trusts. Additionally, he assists families with estate administration after the death of a loved one.

Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University in 2002. He graduated cum laude from the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law in 2007. There he served as a staff member and editorial assistant for The Catholic University Law Review. He is admitted to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia and is a member of both the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.