Tracy A. Burnett Joins Morrison Cohen

Morrison Cohen welcomes Tracy Burnett, who joins the firm as a partner in our White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement Practice. Her practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations, and regulatory enforcement matters.

Tracy has extensive experience defending individuals and corporations in high-stakes government investigations and prosecutions, regulatory and administrative proceedings, and complex commercial and civil litigation. With a passion for criminal and social justice, she regularly advises on matters involving allegations of corporate accounting fraud, securities fraud, consumer protection violations, public corruption, money laundering, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations and False Claims Act violations, and has substantial experience conducting internal corporate investigations. Tracy represents a wide range of individuals and corporate clients across various industries, including financial services, construction, healthcare and telecommunications.

“I am excited to join the great team at Morrison Cohen. The firm’s commitment to client service and an inclusive, collaborative culture align perfectly with my values,” Tracy said. “I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of the white-collar practice and working with my colleagues to advocate for our clients.”

Tracy’s recent successes include the outright acquittal of all criminal charges against an executive of a large national construction company brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office after a 7-month trial, declinations by the government in matters including criminal tax fraud, public benefits fraud, and minority- and women-owned business enterprise fraud, successfully representing a fund manager in an investigation by DOJ stemming from allegations of securities, mail and wire fraud resulting in no charges, and winning a dismissal of a False Claims Act lawsuit against a multinational development company. 

“Clients trust us with their most complex cases, and Tracy is the perfect fit to meet that demand with her expertise and dedication,” said Jason Gottlieb, chair of the firm’s White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement Practice. “Her track record in successfully handling white collar criminal matters and investigations across a range of sectors complements our practice, and we’re delighted to welcome her to our impressive bench of litigators.”

Tracy joins Morrison Cohen from McLaughlin & Stern, where she was a partner. Earlier in her career, she spent time at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and clerked for the Hon. Carl E. Stewart of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In addition to her practice, Tracy is secretary of the Women in the Legal Profession committee of the New York City Bar Association, and she was appointed to the board of the Law Alumni of Color Association of New York University School of Law. She also sits on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund and Votes PAC. Tracy earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Virginia.