Cookie Settings Main Content Main Menu Menu
  * Why K&C?
      + Why K&C?
      + Can-Will Model
      + Awards & Recognition
      + Diversity & Inclusion
      + FAQs
      + TerraLex®
  * People
      + People
      + Search
      + Attorney Directory
      + Firm Leadership
  * Services
      + Services
      + Practices & Industries
      + Successes
  * KaufCanCares
      + KaufCanCares
      + Charitable Giving
      + Impact Partnerships
      + Community Leadership
      + Pro Bono
  * Newsroom
      + Newsroom
      + News
      + Events
      + Blogs
      + Sign Up
  * Careers
      + Careers
      + Work With Us
      + Team-First Culture
      + Inclusion
      + Apply Now
      + Recruiting Committee
  * Contact
      + Contact
      + Offices
      + Firm Leadership
      + Online Payment Portal
      + Inquiry
  * 简体中文
  * Search

        Kristan B. Burch

            Member
            Member | Chair of Government Contracts & Construction | Co-Chair of Intellectual Property
          * Norfolk
          757.624.3343
          kristan.burch@kaufcan.com

          Legal Assistant:

            Wanda Remington | 757.624.3180 | email

          Admissions

            Virginia

          * 
          * 
          * 

  Overview

    With over 25 years of experience, Kristan Burch is a state court and federal court litigator who handles disputes for public and private projects in the construction industries. She also advises clients on trademark and copyright infringement claims and franchise disputes, and she handles general commercial disputes.

    Kristan manages the construction process from contract drafting and negotiation to project management to resolution of disputes. She assists clients with issues related to faulty workmanship and design claims, payment disputes, delay claims, mechanic’s liens, and bond claims. Kristan represents owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and sureties in state and federal courts, as well as mediations and arbitrations. She also appears before the Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation to address licensing complaints filed against contractors.

    Kristan handles commercial disputes in state and federal court involving trademark and copyright infringement claims, as well as opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She also represents franchisors in franchise disputes.

    As Chair of the Government Contracts & Construction practice group, Kristan frequently writes articles and speaks at seminars on construction-related topics.

    Read More

    She regularly drafts and negotiates construction contracts for firm clients, representing owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. When construction disputes arise, Kristan files claims and defends against them in state and federal courts. She handles motions, takes and defends depositions, retains expert witnesses and collaborates with them to prepare expert disclosures and reports. Kristan also represents clients at bench trials and jury trials. For construction contracts that require arbitration, she files demands for arbitration, defends against demands for arbitration, and manages arbitration before one- and three-member arbitration panels. Throughout her litigation and arbitration matters, she remains closely involved in document review and production, routinely working with ESI vendors to ensure discovery obligations are met.

    She is frequently complimented by clients for her thorough preparation for depositions, hearings, trials, and arbitrations.

    Read Less

    Practices & Industries

        * Government Contracts & Construction
        * Government Contracts & Defense Industries
        * Government & Municipal Law
        * Infrastructure & Transportation
        * Intellectual Property
        * Franchising
        * Litigation

  Representative Matters

    Construction

    Drafted and negotiated construction and design contracts for owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on public and private projects

    Represented subcontractor in two-week arbitration with contractor on federal project to recover for unpaid pay applications, change orders, and a delay claim

    Represented developer of apartment complex in litigation with architect regarding design defects and failure to supervise work

    Represented concrete subcontractor in state court litigation with concrete supplier on federal project for construction of VA facility

    Represented municipality in disputes with contractor and architect regarding construction of new courthouse

    Represented general contractor in disputes with owner, subcontractors, and insurers in state court and federal court on construction of a seminary

    Represented contractors and sureties in Miller Act claims in federal court

    Represented developer of bridge in disputes during and after construction of the bridge with neighboring landowner, including weeklong trial in state court

    Represented continuing care retirement community in state court litigation against the architect and in arbitration against the general contractor related to design and construction defects

    Represented precast concrete subcontractor in dispute with prime contractor on state bridge project, handling claims submitted to arbitration

    Represented design-builder in connection with construction of tunnel, advising on disputes and claims that arose during construction

    Represented general contractor in federal court litigation regarding defective construction and warranty claims by owner for concrete slabs

    Intellectual Property and Franchising

    Represented franchisor in multiple federal court actions to enforce terms of franchise agreements and obtain injunctive relief

    Represented parties in trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

    Represented businesses in copyright and trademark disputes, including cease and desist letters, concurrent use agreements, issues related to websites and online advertising, and Lanham Act claims

    Served as local counsel in infringement actions in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk and Newport News Divisions

  Recognition & Honors

    Honors & Recognitions

    Virginia Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, 2013-2026

    Influential Women of Virginia, Virginia Lawyers Weekly , Class of 2026

    America’s Leading Business Lawyers; Chambers USA, 2025, 2026

    Go To Lawyer for Business Litigation; Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2025

    Best Lawyers in America, 2015-2026

    Lawyer of the Year; Best Lawyers in America, 2023, 2026

    Virginia’s Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2004-2025

    Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ, 2017-2021, 2023-2026

    Women in Business Achievement Award; Inside Business, 2018

    Virginia Rising Stars; Law & Politics, 2007-2013

    Top 40 Under 40; Inside Business, 2007

    Lead Hampton Roads, 2006

    Law Clerk to The Honorable James E. Bradberry; Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division

  Press & Publications

    News

          * Press Release | June 4, 2026
            Kaufman & Canoles Named to 2026 Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
          * Press Release | April 24, 2026
            14 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers & 6 Named as Rising Stars 2026
          * Press Release | February 27, 2026
            Kristan B. Burch Named in Virginia Lawyers Weekly's Class of 2026 Influential Women of Law
          * Press Release | January 16, 2026
            22 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2026 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | December 1, 2025
            61 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” 2025
          * Press Release | August 21, 2025
            56 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2026, 5 Named "Lawyer of the Year," and 13 Named "Ones to Watch"
          * Press Release | June 5, 2025
            Kaufman & Canoles Named to 2025 Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
          * Press Release | May 28, 2025
            Kristan B. Burch Elected to Serve on the Virginia State Bar Council
          * Press Release | April 28, 2025
            Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys: 13 Named as Super Lawyers & 5 Named as Virginia Rising Stars in Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2025
          * Press Release | February 25, 2025
            Kristan B. Burch Named as Virginia’s Go To Business Litigation Lawyer
          * Press Release | December 31, 2024
            36 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2025 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | December 2, 2024
            51 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” 2024
          * Press Release | August 15, 2024
            55 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2025, 7 Named "Lawyer of the Year," and 13 Named "Ones to Watch"
          * Press Release | May 1, 2024
            15 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers & 5 Named as Rising Stars 2024
          * Press Release | January 9, 2024
            36 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2024 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | December 5, 2023
            53 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's “Legal Elite” 2023
          * Press Release | August 18, 2023
            54 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America© 2024, 6 Named “Lawyer of the Year,” and 10 Named “Ones to Watch”
          * Press Release | May 4, 2023
            16 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers and 4 Named as Virginia Rising Stars 2023
          * Press Release | December 30, 2022
            44 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2023 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | November 29, 2022
            53 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's "Legal Elite" 2022
          * Press Release | August 18, 2022
            48 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers In America© 2023, 5 Named “Lawyer of the Year” and 8 Named “Ones to Watch”
          * Press Release | May 5, 2022
            17 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers & 3 Named as Rising Stars in Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2022
          * Press Release | January 19, 2022
            40 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2022 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | December 1, 2021
            52 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's "Legal Elite" 2021
          * Press Release | August 19, 2021
            48 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America© 2022, 4 Named “Lawyer of the Year” and 8 Named “Ones to Watch”
          * Press Release | May 6, 2021
            19 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers & 3 Named as Rising Stars in Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2021
          * Press Release | January 6, 2021
            40 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2021 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | December 1, 2020
            53 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine's "Legal Elite" 2020
          * Press Release | August 20, 2020
            46 Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers in America 2021", 5 Named "Lawyer of the Year" and 7 Named "Ones to Watch"
          * Press Release | May 7, 2020
            18 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers 2020 and 4 Named As Rising Stars 2020
          * Article | February 14, 2020
            Franchising Client Alert
          * Press Release | December 2, 2019
            48 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's “Legal Elite” 2019
          * Press Release | December 2, 2019
            45 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named CoVaBIZ Magazine's "Top Lawyers" 2020
          * Press Release | August 15, 2019
            45 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2020 and 3 Named “Lawyer of the Year"
          * Press Release | May 8, 2019
            Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys: 18 Named as Super Lawyers & 6 Named as Virginia Rising Stars in Virginia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2019
          * Press Release | December 20, 2018
            Kristan Burch Receives 2018 Women in Business Achievement Award
          * Press Release | December 14, 2018
            48 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's "Legal Elite" 2018
          * Article | November 9, 2018
            Spoliation Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(e): What a Party Must Prove to Obtain Sanctions for Failure to Preserve ESI
          * Press Release | November 8, 2018
            40 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2019 in CoVaBiz Magazine
          * Press Release | November 7, 2018
            43 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers in America 2019" and 8 Named "Lawyers of the Year"
          * Article | July 25, 2018
            Lessons Learned from Pro Bono Service in the Eastern District of Virginia
          * Press Release | April 1, 2018
            31 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers and 5 Named As Rising Stars 2018
          * Press Release | January 1, 2018
            Kristan B. Burch Elected to Kaufman & Canoles Executive Committee
          * Press Release | November 1, 2017
            31 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers 2017/18 in CoVaBIZ Magazine
          * Press Release | August 1, 2017
            46 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2018
          * Press Release | July 1, 2017
            48 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite 2017
          * Press Release | December 1, 2016
            48 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite 2016
          * Press Release | August 1, 2016
            40 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2017
          * Press Release | June 1, 2016
            32 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers 2016 and 4 Named as Rising Stars 2016
          * Article | March 15, 2016
            Sealing Documents: Revisions to Local Civil Rule 5 in the Eastern District
          * Article | October 1, 2015
            The Effective Use of Jury Instructions in Construction Cases
          * Press Release | August 1, 2015
            42 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2016
          * Press Release | August 1, 2015
            44 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite 2015
          * Press Release | August 1, 2015
            32 Kaufman & Canoles Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers 2015 and 7 Named as Rising Stars 2015

  Community & Professional

    Associations

    Virginia State Bar; Council, 4th Judicial District, Member; Executive Committee, Member; Standing Committee on Budget and Finance, Member

    Norfolk Forum, Board Member

    Virginia State Bar Construction and Public Contracts Section, Past Chair

    Virginia State Bar Litigation Section, Past Chair

    Hampton Roads Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Past President

    Virginia State Bar Intellectual Property Law Section, Past Chair

    Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association, Past President

    Virginia Bar Association Intellectual Property & Information Technology Section, Past Chair

    Historical Society of U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Virginia, Director

    Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Past Member of Norfolk Board of Directors

    Horizons Hampton Roads, Past Member of Board of Directors

    St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Past Vestry Member and Senior Warden

  Credentials

    Education

    University of Virginia; B.A., 1995

    William & Mary Law School; J.D., 1998

    Court Admissions

    Virginia State Courts

    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

    U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

    Supreme Court of the United States

  Beyond the Law

    Kristan is an avid landscape photographer whose home is filled with her photographs. She is also a devoted UVA sports fan who enthusiastically follows the Cavaliers from football and basketball to baseball.

Jump to Page
        * Chesapeake
        * Newport News
        * Norfolk
        * Raleigh
        * Richmond
        * Virginia Beach
        * Williamsburg
        * 
        * 
        * 
        * 
      * Home
      * Online Payment Portal
      * Subscribe
      * Manage Cookies
      * Privacy Policy
      * Disclaimer
      * Site Map
      * Site by Firmseek
    © 2026 Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. All Rights Reserved.

      By using this site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.

    Manage Cookies Reject Cookies Accept and Close

    Cookie Preference Center

    Close

      Your Privacy

      When you visit our website, we use cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences, or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. For more information about how we use Cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

      Accept All Cookies

          Strictly Necessary Cookies

            Always Active

        Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. These cookies may only be disabled by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

          Functional Cookies

            Always Active

        Some functions of the site require remembering user choices, for example your cookie preference, or keyword search highlighting. These do not store any personal information.

          Form Submissions

            Always Active

        When submitting your data, for example on a contact form or event registration, a cookie might be used to monitor the state of your submission across pages.

        Performance Cookies

          On Off

      Performance cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage. We access and process information from these cookies at an aggregate level.

        Powered by
      Confirm My Choices
scullery23