Robert Burns Honored with ABA’s Robert B. McKay Award

Robert (Bob) Burns, William W. Gurley Memorial Professor of Law Emeritus at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, has been awarded the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Tort, Trial, and Insurance Practice Section’s Robert B. McKay Award. This prestigious accolade recognizes Burns for his “commitment to the advancement of justice, scholarship, and the legal profession demonstrated by outstanding contributions” to his fields of expertise. The award will be presented at the ABA’s upcoming midyear meeting in February 2026.

Burns joins a distinguished roster of previous recipients, including legal luminaries such as Guido Calabresi, Aaron Twerski, Richard Posner, Bob Keeton, Charles Alan Wright, as well as the late Northwestern Pritzker Law Frederic P. Vose Professor of Law Emeritus Marshall Shapo. The award is named in honor of Robert B. McKay, a prominent lawyer and statesman who served as the dean of New York University School of Law, reflecting the high standards of excellence set by McKay throughout his illustrious career.

“I am honored to be associated with Robert McKay in any way,” Burns says. “What I’ve done pales in comparison to what he achieved. He was a great lawyer statesman and an exemplary figure in both the public and academic worlds.”

Burns emphasizes that the award acknowledges not only his work but also the collective efforts of his colleagues and students at Northwestern Pritzker Law.

“Congratulations to Professor Bob Burns on this well-deserved honor,” said Zachary D. Clopton, interim Dean and Daniel Hale Williams Professor of Law. “This award reflects not only his exceptional contributions to legal scholarship and the pursuit of justice, but also his dedication to teaching and his decades of commitment to Northwestern Pritzker Law.”

As a legal scholar, Burns has penned several influential works, including A Theory of the Trial, published by Princeton University Press, as well as Kafka’s Law: The Trial and American Criminal Justice and The Death of the American Trial, both published by the University of Chicago Press. The latter was recognized as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title, highlighting Burns’ ability to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and practical legal issues. His writing often addresses the challenges and cultural significance of the American trial system, advocating for the importance of ethical legal practice. Burns’ forthcoming book with the working title Courts and Bureaucracies, Renewing the Rule of Law in Our Time will also be published by the University of Chicago Press, with an anticipated release in fall 2026.

Burns has also dedicated much of his professional life to teaching and scholarship at Northwestern Pritzker Law. He specializes in evidence, professional responsibility, procedure, and trial advocacy and has made significant contributions to the legal education of countless students over his long tenure. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including the Robert Childres Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence three times and the Dean’s Teaching Award twice. His dedication to teaching is further reflected in his recognition as the Outstanding Professor of a Small Class.

In addition to teaching and research, Burns’ legal career has spanned various roles, including general counsel for an Illinois Legislative Commission and staff attorney for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago. His broad experience encompasses civil rights, administrative law, and criminal trials, providing him with a unique perspective on the intricacies of legal practice.

Reflecting on his career, Burns notes, “I’ve always been interested in both the practice and the academic side of law. My work aims to celebrate American trial practice and to educate young lawyers on the importance of ethical advocacy.” This dual commitment has defined his approach to both pedagogy and scholarship.

The Robert B. McKay Award not only acknowledges Burns’ exceptional contributions to legal education and practice but also serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Robert B. McKay. As Burns prepares to accept this honor, he remains focused on his mission to inspire future generations of lawyers and uphold the values of justice and legal integrity.