Warner Norcross + Judd LLP attorney Charles E. “Chuck” Burpee has been selected for the 2022 class of Senior Neighbors 16 Over 60.
Now in its fifth year, Senior Neighbors annually selects 16 individuals older than 60 in Kent County who have inspired others and positively impacted the community through business excellence and other extraordinary efforts. Burpee and other recipients will be honored during a gala and awards ceremony Nov. 16 at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.
Burpee concentrates his practice on patent, trademark and copyright law, helping clients who are on the leading edge of technology to develop intellectual property strategies that align with their business goals. He is a leading attorney within Warner’s expungement initiative, providing pro bono legal services to help qualifying individuals clear their criminal records of old convictions. He has helped dozens of people through expungement clinics and individual case assignments since the Michigan Clean Slate law went into effect in April 2021.
His nomination read in part: “I am not sure if I have met a person who does a better job than Chuck of living up to their ideals and faith. For Chuck, service to the community is a responsibility and privilege. Inspiring others to follow in his footsteps, Chuck is the lead attorney within the firm on a new three-year partnership with Legal Aid of Western Michigan and the Grand Rapids chapter of the NAACP to assist with the expungement of criminal records. Getting more attorneys involved in this work, Chuck is providing internal training, coordinating volunteer opportunities and acting as a resource to anyone looking to participate.
“Chuck shares: ‘This is an opportunity to change people’s lives. It literally opens new doors for people. It’s why many of us went to law school – it’s certainly why I did.’”
Burpee has received numerous awards throughout his legal career, including recognition for 27 years by Best Lawyers, who named him 2018 Lawyer of the Year in Grand Rapids for copyright law. He also has been named an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property magazine.
Active professionally and in the community, Burpee serves as board chair for Dégagé Ministries and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Endowment as well as board vice chair for the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation. He is a former board member for Clark Retirement Community, Planned Parenthood of West Michigan, West Michigan Chapter of the Michigan Technology Council, Gerald R. Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America and East Grand Rapid Schools Foundation.
About Warner
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