ORLANDO, Fla., October 29, 2025 – RumbergerKirk announces the expansion of its construction team with the return of Sara J. Burton as Of Counsel in its Orlando office. With more than 22 years of construction industry experience, Burton advises clients on all phases of complex commercial construction projects—from early design and project development to contract negotiation and project completion. She also supports companies with business and operational planning, training program development, and risk management strategy.

“We are very pleased to have Sara return to RumbergerKirk,” said Managing Partner Frank Sheppard. “Her unique experience guiding businesses through both operational and legal challenges offers clients an unparalleled advantage beyond litigation, providing balanced, strategic, results-driven counsel on construction, real estate and commercial matters.”

In her role as senior in-house attorney, Burton advised on construction projects totaling more than $500 million in annual revenue. Throughout her tenure, she helped counsel on corporate governance issues, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, navigating complex regulations and compliance standards, and obtaining development approvals to implement projects.

Further adding to Burton’s unique background and experience, she stepped away from full-time legal practice for a few years after her in-house role and devoted time to the day-to-day operation and management of Burton Construction and Development, where she was responsible for the design and implementation of luxury residential and commercial development projects for high net worth individuals and professional athletes.  Prior to her in-house work, Burton spent 10 years at RumbergerKirk, working on real estate transactions, commercial foreclosures, toxic tort liability, product liability defense, and construction defect and lien claims.

“I returned to RumbergerKirk for the same reasons I initially joined years ago – because of the firm’s reputation and standing in the legal community, its commitment to excellence in all that we do, and the opportunities it affords its attorneys to do meaningful and collaborative work that delivers exceptional results for clients,” Sara said. “I am so excited to be back and to be part of the team and look forward to contributing in meaningful ways to the firm’s success.  It is a testament to the firm’s culture that so many of the colleagues I worked alongside many years ago are still here today.”

Burton earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida. She earned her law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was also a research executive for the Journal of Law and Public Policy.

RumbergerKirk provides litigation and counseling services in a wide range of practice areas, including product liability, commercial litigation, construction, real estate, intellectual property litigation, securities litigation, labor and employment law, bankruptcy, insurance coverage, professional liability and administrative law. Offices are located in Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Tallahassee, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama.