Sean R. Burns helps businesses, creditors, committees, lenders, landlords, vendors, and other stakeholders navigate financial distress, restructuring matters, and complex bankruptcy proceedings. He represents clients in Chapter 11 reorganizations, insolvency litigation, and related disputes in courts throughout the United States, providing practical guidance designed to protect business interests and advance strategic objectives.
Sean brings valuable courtroom insight to his practice through prior service as a law clerk to the Honorable Michelle V. Larson of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. In that role, he gained firsthand exposure to judicial decision-making and the procedural and substantive issues that arise in bankruptcy cases. This experience provides him with a strong understanding of the challenges parties face throughout the restructuring process.
Before entering private practice, Sean further developed his understanding of insolvency and commercial law through work with the Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 6 and judicial externships for the Honorable Harlin D. Hale and the Honorable Sam A. Lindsay. These experiences provided a broad perspective on bankruptcy court operations, creditor and debtor rights, and the legal and business considerations that influence restructuring outcomes.
Sean regularly assists clients in matters involving corporate reorganizations, bankruptcy-related disputes, and distressed business situations. He also advises clients in cross-border insolvency matters, including Chapter 15 proceedings involving parallel restructuring and liquidation cases in foreign jurisdictions.
In addition to his legal practice, Sean remains active in the bankruptcy and restructuring community through leadership and participation in professional organizations focused on insolvency law and the development of emerging practitioners.
Outside the office, Sean enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons, cooking Spanish and Cuban cuisine, reading science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction, and exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and fishing.
- Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (J.D.)
- Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business (M.B.A)
- Cal Poly Humboldt (B.A.)
- Texas
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member (International Committee; Young and New Members Committee)
- American Inns of Court, Hon. John C. Ford American Inn of Court, Associate Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Bankruptcy & Commercial Law Section, Member
- Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers, Member; former Committee Chair, "Lunches with Judges" (June 2022 – Jan. 2024)
- State Bar of Texas, Bankruptcy Law Section, Young Lawyers Committee
- Vice Chair (June 2026 – Present)
- Secretary (June 2024 – June 2026)
- Law Clerk Subcommittee Chair ( June 2023 – June 2024)
