Burden Walker, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Consumer Protection Branch at the U.S. Department of Justice, is a member of the firm’s Complex Litigation practice.
Burden led the 110+ lawyers of the Consumer Protection Branch in the DOJ’s efforts to investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes against American consumers, including violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Controlled Substances Act, and other federal consumer protection statues.
Burden served as Senior Counselor to the Attorney General and managed matters arising from the DOJ’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, including high-profile corporate enforcement of the Banks Secrecy Act, money laundering laws against a cryptocurrency platform, and a criminal conspiracy plea by a major American manufacturer. He also coordinated the development of DOJ regulations, guidance, and policies regarding corporate, civil, and criminal enforcement, gun safety, controlled substances, as well as charging and sentencing. As Deputy Associate Attorney General, Burden managed litigation arising from the Civil, Antitrust, and Environment and Natural Resources Division.
From 2017 to 2021, Burden served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. He investigated, charged, and tried federal fraud, violent crime, narcotics, and public corruption cases in federal court. During his tenure, Burden led the investigation and prosecution of a Ponzi scheme involving over 1,200 victims across six states and prosecuted a 15-person corruption and drug smuggling ring.
Prior to his government service, Burden spent several years in private practice as a litigation attorney.
Perspectives
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School, 2010, magna cum laude
- A.B., Harvard University, 2006, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Government & Military Service
- Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Branch, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice (2024-2025)
- Senior Counselor, Office of the Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (2022-2024)
- Deputy Associate Attorney General, Office of the Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (2021-2022)
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, U.S. Department of Justice (2017-2021)
- Policy Assistant, National Economic Council, The White House (2012-2013)
Clerkships
- Supreme Court of the United States, The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2013-2014)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, The Honorable Stephen F. Williams (2011-2012)
Activities
- Adjunct Professor, University of South Carolina Law School (2021-2023)