Jon R. Burns
Jon Burns has devoted himself to trial work for more than fifteen (15) years, with substantial trial experience in all aspects of complex family law matters.
Jon’s practice focuses primarily on complex equitable distribution (including business valuation), high-conflict child custody, child support, postseparation support and alimony, domestic violence, premarital/postnuptial agreements and breach of contract, alienation of affection and criminal conversation, electronic hacking and wiretapping, criminal investigations, and serious felony matters.
Jon relishes finding creative solutions as much as he does trying cases, with a long record of guiding his clients to success both inside and outside the courtroom.
Before joining JMD, Jon served for more than five (5) years as an assistant district attorney, where he achieved conviction after trial by jury as lead counsel for the State in many different types of cases, including murder, theft, drug trafficking, methamphetamine manufacture, and impaired driving.
Raised in Charlotte, Jon graduated from Myers Park High School before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Directly thereafter, he continued to live and work in Chapel Hill while he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Academic Background
- J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2009
- B.A., Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006
- B.A., Journalism/News Writing-Editorial sequence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006
Bar & Court Admissions
- North Carolina State Bar
- United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina
Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Criminal Defense Section
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, New Lawyers Division
Professional Recognition
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite in Family Law, 2021
- Mecklenburg County Bar Leadership Institute Graduate, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America© in Criminal Defense: General Practice, 2024-2027
- Best Lawyers in America© in Family Law, 2025-2027
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- Best Lawyers in America© 2024 Honors James, McElroy & Diehl Attorneys
- Carrie Weyandt and Jon Burns Chosen for Mecklenburg Bar Leadership Institute
- JMD Attorneys Elected to Business North Carolina 2021 Legal Elite
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