William C. Burton is a partner in the law firm of Sagat Burton LLP, Park Avenue, New York City. His practice is devoted primarily to lobbying for banking, financial services and insurance business interests. As an attorney, Burton has contributed a substantial part of the past seventeen years to promoting the legal profession through his non-profit foundation. He is the author of the legal profession's first-ever legal thesaurus entitled Burton's Legal Thesaurus. Burton served as New York StateAssistant Attorney General, as well as an Assistant New York State Special Prosecutor. Previously, Burton was Director of Government Affairs for one of the world's largest insurers, Continental Insurance. He was also a partner in the law firm of D'Amato & Lynch LLP.
Early life
Burton grew up in Great Neck, New York, and now resides in East Hills, New York. He is married to Michele Burton and has two children: Brian, a lawyer married to Rebecca Pinkus; and Marni, a celebrity make-up artist engaged to Jarek Gabor. For the past 15 years, Burton has served as the Village attorney for East Hills, New York.
In 1999, Burton established and funded the Burton Foundation, to promote the profession and practice of law. The foundation is a 501, non-profit, academic organization. That same year, Burton founded "The Burton Awards Program" which honors and rewards the finest achievements in law. The Burton Awards is run in association with the Library of Congress, and in 2015 became co-sponsored by the American Bar Association. Each year, more than 50 leaders in law are honored at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC including professors, partners in the leading law firms, general counsel in the largest corporations in America, and members of the military. Many prominent jurists have been guest speakers, including the following United States Supreme Court Justices: Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice John Paul Stevens. In the past, other dignitaries who have also spoken at the national awards program, included Tom Brokaw, Bob Schieffer, Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, George Will, Jeffrey Toobin and master of ceremonies, Bill Press. Performers have included Jay Leno, Kristen Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Katherine Jenkins and Vanessa Williams. Burton is also credited with having established the Holmes Debates at the Library of Congress which featured a national debate between members of the United States Justice Department and renowned legal scholars on an issue confronting the nation.
Published works
Burton's Legal Thesaurus, 5th Edition, McGraw Hill
Burton's Legal Thesaurus was declared "Leading Thesaurus in Law"In an in-depth empirical study, entitled "Beyond Black's and Webster's: The Persuasive Value of Thesauri in legal Research and Writing." Author Brian Craig affirmed "Burton's Legal Thesaurus as the leading legal thesaurus" based on the frequency of citations in written decisions by the Supreme Court and Federal and State Courts. In September 2013, Burton spoke at the National Book Fair in Washington, D.C. about the new fifth edition of his reference book. The newest edition celebrates the 35th anniversary since the book was first printed.
Awards
In 2010, the Legal Writing Institute awarded Burton the Golden Pen Award, which is given to a recipient who has most significantly advanced the cause of better legal writing. The organization said that Burton was selected because he "has become one of the most listened to and melodic voices in the world of people who advocate for legal writing excellence." In June of that same year, the Friends of the Law Library of Congress presented Burton with the "Blackstone Award" for exemplifying the best objectives of the Law Library of Congress and advancing the mission and activities of the Law Library of Congress. Roberta I. Shaffer, Associate Librarian of Congress said "Mr. Burton shares an unerring sense of legal excellence." When "Burton's Legal Thesaurus" was published, The Association of Legal Publishers honored it as "One of the Most Innovative and Creative Projects of the Year." The fifth edition of the book was released in 2013, celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Education
Burton attended Long Island University and obtained a BA and MA. He received a scholarship to graduate school before attending Hofstra Law School. He is admitted to both the New York and Florida Bars.
