Attorney Charles Burnham
Location: Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-386-6920
Fax: 202-765-2173
Email: charles@burnhamgorokhov.com
Charles Burnham focuses his practice on government investigations and criminal defense. He has represented clients in all types of government investigations and has extensive first chair jury trial experience.
Most of Mr. Burnham’s cases are resolved quickly and quietly but a few have received widespread attention. He has extensive experience handling television and other media in politically sensitive circumstances.
Recent representations include:
- Represented former counsel to the President of the United States in a variety of matters including a congressional investigation, multiple criminal investigations, professional discipline, and civil litigation.
- Represented former Acting Head of Department of Justice Civil division in a variety of matters including congressional investigations, professional discipline, and multiple criminal investigations.
- Obtained landmark reversal in 2024 D.C. Circuit case resulting in a reduction of sentence for dozens of January 6th defendants.
- Obtained landmark reversal in 2024 Fourth Circuit case recognizing Supreme Court reversal of prior circuit speedy trial precedent.
- Successfully quashed Office of Disciplinary Counsel subpoena on Fifth Amendment grounds before D.C. Court of Appeals in politicized case resulting in permanent change to professional discipline investigations in DC.
- Represented multiple clients before Office of Special counsel involving both classified documents and 2020 election
- Represented multiple clients before Fulton County, Ga. Special Grand Jury investigation.
Mr. Burnham also has significant appellate experience, having handled cases before many state and federal courts of appeal. Select representations include:
- U.S. v. G.H. (4th Cir. 2024)(reversal of conviction on speedy trial grounds)
- U.S. v. L.B. (D.C. Cir. 2024)(reversal and remand for resentencing)
- U.S. v. F.C., (4th Cir. 2013)(forced medication order reversed on interlocutory appeal)
- S.M. v. U.S.,(D.C. 2014)(drug conviction reversed based on erroneous evidentiary rulings)
- A.M. v. U.S., (D.C. 2015)(drug conviction reversed based on suppression)
- S.C. v. U.S., (D.C. 2015)(criminal conviction reversed)
- A.S. v. U.S., (D.C. 2016)(criminal conviction reversed)
- U.S. v. M.R. (4th Cir. 2022)(2255 denial reversed)
Mr. Burnham is active in a number of professional organizations and attends several conferences every year to stay up to date on developments in the law.
Outside of the law, Mr. Burnham is active in the local community and has served in a number of leadership roles. He is a past president of the Monsignor Wells Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, past elected member of the Father Rosensteel Clubhouse Association Board of Directors (Knights of Columbus) and an active parishioner a St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Silver Spring, MD.
Areas of Practice
- White Collar Criminal Defense
- Federal Criminal Defense
- Government Investigations
- Grand Jury Matters
- General Criminal Defense
- Congressional Investigations
- Professional Discipline
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Education
George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia
- J.D.
- Law Journal: Federal Circuit Bar Journal, Associate Editor
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
- B.S.
- Major: Accounting
Professional Associations and Memberships
- District of Maryland Criminal Justice Act Panel
- Eastern District of Virginia Criminal Justice Act Panel
- Federalist Society
Past Employment Positions
- Assistant Public Defender, Arlington County, 2007 – 2009
- Judicial Clerkship, The Honorable Jane Marum Roush, Fairfax Circuit Court, 2006 – 2007
Community Involvement
- Ancient Order of Hibernians – Monsignor Thomas M. Wells Division
- Knights of Columbus, Council # 2169