Colin Burke
Colin Burke, a native Philadelphian, is a partner at Kline & Specter who represents individuals and their families who suffer serious injuries in the workplace, medical malpractice, auto and trucking accidents, dram shop, and premises liability actions.
In his latest case, in 2023, Burke was co-lead counsel in litigation that resulted in a $19 million verdict against a Delaware County, Pa., nursing home and its management companies in a wrongful death case. The verdict included $15 million in punitive damages, which Burke told the news media would “achieve accountability and deter similar conduct in the future.” (The Legal Intelligencer, Law360)
In 2023, Burke was selected as among the best lawyers in Pennsylvania by Super Lawyers*, the independent survey group that bases its selections on ballots sent to attorneys across the state and review by a blue ribbon review committee.
Before joining Kline & Specter, Burke worked for several years at a law firm that represented union members in a range of litigation, from criminal defense to family law to labor and employment issues.
Prior to that he spent five years with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where he was the sole prosecutor in 20 major felony jury trials involving cases of attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and drug and weapons offenses. Burke’s earlier caseload included hundreds of matters, among them felony offenses and crimes committed by juveniles.
Since joining Kline & Specter in February 2015, Burke has amassed millions in compensation for his clients. In 2017, he was co-counsel in a highly publicized Philadelphia case that resulted in an $11 million jury verdict against the Devereux Foundation for a man who was shot and severely injured by a teenager who escaped from its juvenile behavioral rehabilitation facility in Glenmoore, Pa.
Other notable results by Burke include:
• Lead counsel in a $1 million settlement for an electrician injured on a jobsite. (March 2020)
• Co-counsel in a confidential multi-million-dollar settlement on behalf of the family of a union construction worker killed on a jobsite. (September 2019)
• Lead counsel in a $1.65 million settlement, following jury selection, on behalf of a woman injured in a car accident. (June 2019)
• Co-counsel in a $3.4 million settlement for woman seriously injured due to negligent security. (April 2018)
• Lead counsel in a $1 million settlement on behalf of a toddler seriously injured at daycare. (January 2018)
• Co-counsel in a $5.5 million medical malpractice arbitration award for man left with a permanent eye injury following sinus surgery. (November 2017)
• Lead counsel in a mid-trial settlement for $3 million on behalf of a woman assaulted in a Philadelphia garage. (October 2017).
• Co-counsel in a $4.5 million settlement on behalf of the family of a union worker killed on the job. (May 2017)
Burke is a member of the Brehon Law Society and the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association. He is former member of the Executive Board of the Young Lawyer Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association following an election by his peers. In 2017 he received the organization's Craig M. Perry Service Award given to an attorney who has devoted substantial time and energy to community-oriented activities, including pro bono and charity work.
Burke currently serves on the Board of Directors of his alma mater, Archbishop Ryan High School, and the Glen Ford Conservation Corporation.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Catholic University of America, where he won the Men’s Soccer Senior Achievement Award as well as athlete academic awards. Burke attended the Widener University School of Law, earning his degree in just two and a half years while working three different jobs – including as a bartender -- to help pay his tuition.
Colin Burke In The News:
Jury Returns $19M Verdict for Elderly Woman's Nursing Home Death, The Legal Intelligencer, 1/26/23; Law360, 1/26/23
Challenge to State Damages Cap Lands Back in Commonwealth Court After High Court Denies Immediate Review, The Legal Intelligencer, 8/2/22
Burke represents family of inmate who died in county jail, The Philadelphia Inquirer 9/20/21
$11 million awarded in verdict against Devereux, The Phoenix Reporter & Item, 3/21/17
$11M Awarded to Man Shot by Escaped Devereux Patient, The Legal Intelligencer, 3/17/17
Jury awards $11 million to W. Philly man shot by Devereux escapee, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/17/17
School worker in boiler explosion dies of his injuries, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/20/16