David Burton Named to CoVaBiz Magazine’s 175 Most Influential People of 2026

Williams Mullen is pleased to announce that David C. Burton has been named to CoVaBIZ magazine’s 175 Most Influential People in Coastal Virginia feature.

Burton serves as managing partner in Williams Mullen’s Hampton Roads office and is a member of its board of directors. As a partner in the firm’s Labor, Employment and Immigration Section, he focuses his practice on labor and employment matters arising from relationships with employees, directors, competitors and labor unions. He advises employers on compliance with federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, age discrimination, wage and hour laws, family and medical leave and the WARN Act.

He counsels businesses on remaining union-free and helps them navigate unfair labor practice proceedings. Burton also represents companies in disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, tortious interference and business conspiracy cases.

Burton is active in the Virginia Bar Association, where he has served on its Labor and Employment Council since 2014. He is very involved in regional transportation efforts in Hampton Roads and serves as the outside general counsel to Hampton Roads Transit. He is a member of the executive committee at the Princess Anne Country Club where he serves as the secretary and general counsel to the club. He is also a member of the board of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. Before joining the board, he received the John J. Kruger Award for outstanding service to the festival and the community. In 2018, David was selected as King Neptune by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.

He is consistently recognized by peers in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, Virginia Super Lawyers, and Virginia Business’ Legal Elite, and was named among the top lawyers in Coastal Virginia by CoVaBiz magazine. He was previously named to Inside Business’ 65 Power Players list and AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.

Burton earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Elon College.

The Most Influential People in Coastal Virginia award program honors individuals at the helm of companies and organizations whose contributions to the Coastal Virginia region have been transformational. The honorees will be celebrated during a recognition program on April 23.