Mr. Ethan S. Burger

Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 202-330-3399
Mr. Ethan S. Burger

Ethan S. Burger is an Adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Burger has practiced law for more than 18 years. He specializes in Russian and Belarusian legal and political matters, international economic crime (e.g. the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act cases), age discrimination matters, and professional responsibility/legal malpractice issues.

He has written more than 50 articles, which have appeared in academic and professional journals. He has taught Business Organizations, Comparative Corporate Governance, International Economic Crime & Corruption, International Practice & Ethical Dilemmas, and Conflict and Resolution of Problems in Post-Soviet Russia at GULC, Washington College of Law, Universidad Sergio Arboreta, and the University of Baltimore.

He has given presentations at numerous events including those of the American Bar Association, International Law Institute, International Monetary Fund, Institute for State and Law (Moscow), Keenan Institute, the London Business School, the Royal Institute of International Affairs and the World Bank.

He has been an expert witness in administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and judicial matters, as well as appeared on radio and television both in the United States and abroad. He received his B.A. from Harvard University (magna cum laude, 1981) and law degree from Georgetown University Law Center (cum laude, 1989).

Background

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 1989; Member: American Criminal Law Review, 1987-89 and Harvard University, Slavic Language and Literature (Russian and Soviet Area Studies), A.B., magna cum laude, 1981.



District of Columbia Bar, 1989 – Present; Maryland State Bar, 2000 – Present.

Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Member, American Bar Association, 1989 - Present; Mediator and Arbitrator, D.C. Bar Attorney/Client Arbitration Board, 1997 - Present; Member, American Society of International Law, 1999 - Present; Member, American Academy of Legal Studies in Business, 2004 - Present; Member, D.C. Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee, 2005 - 2007; Member, International Bar Association, 1997-2001 and 2006 - Present; Member, Canadian Bar Association, 2005 - Present; Member, American Association for Justice, 2005 - Present; Member, Defense Research Institute, 2007 - Present; and Member, South Asian Bar Association (D.C. Chapter), 2007 - Present; Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, 2004-6 and 2008.



Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Teaching and Major Presentations below.

I. Teaching -- “International Economic Crime,” Georgetown University Law Center, Spring 2007 and Spring 2008; “Corporate Governance,” (Special Course for Legal Post-Graduate Studies), Universidad Sergio Arboleda, Bogota, Colombia, May 2007 and May 2008; “Comparative Corporate Governance,” Washington College of Law, American University, Spring 2003, 2004 and 2006 and Georgetown University Law Center, Fall 2006; “International Practice and Ethical Dilemmas,” Washington College of Law, American University, Spring 2005; “Business Organizations,” Legal and Ethics M.A. Program, University of Baltimore, Fall 2005; “Conflict and Resolution in Post-Soviet Russia,” School of International Service, American University, Spring 2002.


II. Major Presentations -- “Not Only Will the Dog Eventually Bark, It Will Also Bite,” St. Mary’s Law School 6th Annual Symposium on Ethics, February 2007; “The State of the Russian Arbitrazh Court System: Are We Being Too Unrealistic in our Expectations?,” The Davis Center, Harvard University, September 2006; “Why is the Price of Real Estate So High in London and Moscow: The Thin Line Between Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, June 2006; “Can the Private Sector Lead the Fight Against Corruption?,” National Law School, University of India (Bangalore), NALSAR (Hyderabad) and Management Development Institute (Gurgaon), May 2006; “The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and International Corporate Governance,” The German Marshal Fund, Washington, D.C., June 2005; “Corruption in the Russian Arbitrazh Court System,” The Kennan Institute, D.C., May 2005; “Globalization and International Legal Malpractice,” The Center for International Legal Studies, Whistler, Canada, March 2005; “The State of the Russian Court System,” The World Bank, Washington, D.C., February 2004; “The U.S. Approach to Combating Money Laundering After September 11, 2001: A New Era of ‘Forced Transparency’?,” Royal Institute of International Affairs, London, England, May 2002; “A Brief Conceptual Framework for Understanding Corruption,” IMF, Washington, D.C., April 2002.



Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No

Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: In excess of 25.

Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: -- International economic crime (e.g. the Bank Secrecy Act (money laundering) Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA));

- Russian and Belarusian legal and political developments for both economic disputes and political asylum cases (political beliefs, membership in a political group, or sexual orientation); and

- International due diligence (standard of care for legal malpractice matters).


Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximate 2/3 plaintiff; 1/3 defendant.

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: See above.

Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Several.

Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: Three years ago.

Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: I have given expert testimony in California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Virginia as well as Queens Bench, London, UK in judicial matters as well as Stockholm and Zurich for arbitrations.

Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: See above.

Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 5

Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting, case evaluation, risk assessments, etc.

Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Varies by matter (generally $300-400).

Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Varies by matter, depending on subject, scope and time frame.

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Varies by matter and location.

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Varies by matter and location.

Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: All out-of-pocket expenses.

References

Provided on a case-by-case basis.