Founded in 1960 by Thomas Burns and Larry Levinson, this Boston-based firm's strengths include business law and litigation, intellectual property, real estate, private client and a variety of specialty legal services. Over the past 50 years, they have expanded from four attorneys in one Boston office to 125 attorneys serving six offices in the U.S. and a Canadian subsidiary.

Steady Growth

Since 1960, the firm has launched new departments and strengthened old ones, expanding to a firm that is mid-sized, but full-service and far-reaching. Some highlights from their expansion include adding a dozen attorneys from New England-based Peabody & Arnold in 2002 and drastically expanding their intellectual property group with the acquisition of 35 attorneys from science and technology-focused Perkins Smith & Cohen in 2006.

In response to Massachusetts' embrace of same-sex marriage, the firm created family advisory and gay and lesbian client services groups including attorneys published on the legal subtleties of same-sex marriage law. Other niche practices include automotive law, entertainment and media, food and drug law, P3's, data security and a sports practice.

The firm also formed two subsidiaries: Burns & Levinson Canada Co. assists Canadian and U.S. companies with doing business across borders while Burns & Levinson Asset Management provides investment advisory and portfolio management services.

A Diverse Firm with Diverse Clients

Burns & Levinson prides itself on its ability to provide partner-level attention as both legal counsel and as business advisers since partners outnumber associates nearly 3:1. Of those associates, 56 percent are women.

The firm's model attracts well known clients, such as Big Y Foods, Harvard Bioscience, Raytheon, Reebok and Segway. Additionally, Burns & Levinson represents dynamic, growth-oriented businesses, publicly held companies, family owned businesses, universities, institutions and individuals in various industries including manufacturing, high-technology and life sciences, as well emerging companies and entrepreneurs. In addition, the firm's Private Client Group represents individuals when personal matters and relationships require sensitive and strategic legal counsel.