Overview
Glenn represents clients in complex civil and government-related matters throughout Florida and across the country. He focuses on class actions, governmental investigations and litigation, election and political activity law, and administrative proceedings. While much of his practice involves representing corporations against the government, Glenn often represents government agencies and officials. He also consults on drafting proposed legislation and ballot initiatives, conducts internal investigations, and handles appeals in various federal and state jurisdictions.
Glenn represents and advises medical marijuana treatment centers, cannabis investors, and cannabis-related businesses.
Representative Experience
Complex Commercial & Class Action Litigation
- Lead trial counsel for major cannabis company in defense of a class action under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- Lead trial counsel for Department of Defense contractor in an action alleging breach of $90 million teaming agreement, misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of global petroleum marketer in defense of an action challenging resolution of underground storage tank claims; defended case through final appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment below.
- Lead counsel for global retailer in federal class action challenging the marketing and pricing of generic headache and migraine relief products. Secured dismissal of claims for deceptive and unfair trade practices, violation of the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act, and unjust enrichment.
- Lead trial counsel for Florida state agency in federal class action alleging due process violations relating to the agency’s benefit reduction notices.
- Obtained summary judgment on issue of first impression construing insurance coverage of actual charges for protective and supportive cancer treatments; defended case through final appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which affirmed the judgment below.
- Defended insurers in nationwide class action litigation seeking coverage of billed versus actual charges for medical treatments.
- Defended global integrated energy corporation in multiple class actions for property damages arising from alleged exposure to contaminated groundwater.
- Represented County Clerk of Court in putative class action involving imposition of case re-opening fees; action dismissed prior to class certification and affirmed on appeal.
- Represented internet-based gold and jewelry buyer in defense of nationwide class action alleging deceptive and unfair trade practices; class certification was denied.
- Secured dismissal of putative class action alleging discriminatory and predatory consumer lending practices against a leading financial institution under the Fair Housing Act and Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and defeated the appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of international law firm in action alleging fraudulent inducement and third-party action for indemnification with respect to distribution of $42.5 million settlement.
Administrative Law, Governmental Litigation & Investigations
- Representing Florida’s largest County-created expressway authority in challenging the constitutionality of a Florida statute seeking to abolish the authority and transfer all of its assets to a legislatively created agency. Obtained summary judgment at the trial level and defeated a Petition for Writ of Prohibition at the appellate level. The matter is under appeal.
- Representing large Florida beachfront County in a matter of first impression seeking a declaratory judgment confirming the public’s right customary use of privately owned beach property.
- Regulatory compliance; administrative litigation relating to medical marijuana rules/regulations; preparation of licensing applications; legislative and public referenda strategy; and statutory and constitutional analysis of enacted and proposed cannabis related statutes, rules/regulations and Florida constitutional amendments.
- National counsel for global integrated energy corporation in multiple state investigations and litigation arising from alleged underground petroleum storage tank liabilities.
- Defended major Florida health system in $30 million claims bill proceedings arising out of action for medical negligence (infant brain injury and permanent disabilities).
- Lead outside counsel to Florida state agency responsible for managing docket of nearly 2,000 administrative law matters involving Medicaid fair hearings, includingoversightofstatewide hearing team of 20 attorneys.
- Developed and implemented: case management and tracking database; witness training program for agency’s personnel; training program for hearing attorneys; standardized pleadings, discovery documents, evidentiary submissions, and hearing procedures.
- Represented Native American Indian Tribe regarding the validity of a gaming compact between the Tribe and Florida's Governor, including a Quo Warranto proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court.
- Represented County Sherriff’s office in $31 million claims bill proceedings arising out of action for vehicular negligence (brain injury and permanent disabilities).
- Governmental investigation representations include: energy companies, major group of car rental companies; for-profit colleges and career educational institutions, national furniture manufacturer and retailer; direct mail and digital marketers; retailers; and annuities brokerage firm.
Election and Political Activity Law
- General Counsel to 2018 Florida gubernatorial campaign.
- General Counsel and Chair of political committee sponsor of the All Voters Vote Amendment (2020). Drafted the proposed amendment and ballot language. Successfully defended the ballot language at the Florida Supreme Court. Oversaw multi-million dollar effort that obtained more than 5.8 million votes (57%).
- Counsels federal and state office holders and candidates, political committees, corporations, foundations, lobbyists, and high net-worth individuals with respect to election law, campaign finance compliance, and lobbying activities.
- Represented Florida Governor and Secretary of State in mandamus and quo warranto proceedings before Florida Supreme Court challenging gubernatorial appointments to fill judicial vacancies.
- Policy development, strategic consulting, and drafting of proposed legislation and ballot initiatives, as well as in challenging legislation and ballot proposals.
- Represented a national membership organization and other advocacy groups in a voters' rights challenge to Florida's "no match, no vote" law.
- Represented congressional candidate in election contests arising from the alleged malfunction of touch-screen voting machines.
- Served as lead trial counsel in concurrent election contests brought under the Federal Contested Election Act in the United States House of Representatives and under Florida law in state court.
- Coordinated a multi-county recount effort and interfaced with county and state elections officials concerning post-election parallel testing and software auditing.
- Lead trial counsel for the Florida Department of Health and Board of Dentistry in an action challenging the constitutionality of a Florida statute regulating dental specialty advertising.
- Lead trial counsel for a Florida House candidate in an action under Florida’s "resign-to-run" statute.
- Trial counsel for citizens’ group sponsor of proposed Hillsborough County charter amendment providing for an elected county mayor.
- Coordinated canvassing board monitoring teams for opponent of citizens’ initiative petition.
- Litigation and counseling with respect to Florida’s Public Records Act and Sunshine Laws.
Land Use Litigation
- Lead trial counsel for developer of 1,000 acre mixed-use village within the Rural Land Stewardship Area in Collier County; defending against a challenge to the development’s consistency with the County’s Growth Management Plan.
- Lead appellate counsel for developer of an affordable housing project in the Florida Keys; defending against the appeal of the County Planning Commission’s resolution granting a major conditional use permit.
- Trial counsel representing large Florida beachfront County in a matter of first impression seeking a declaratory judgment confirming the public’s right customary use of privately owned beach property
Toxic Tort & Products Liability
- Represented global integrated energy corporation in defense and settlement of an environmental class action and companion medical monitoring suit.
- Defended global integrated energy corporation in toxic tort action for personal and emotional injuries arising from the alleged exposure to contaminated groundwater.
Professional & Community Involvement
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tallahassee, Inc., 2011-2019
- Chairman of the Board of Directors, 2017-2018
- Florida Bar Association, Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, 2006-2013
- New York State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 2010-2021
Publications & Presentations
In the Media, Publications:
Column: Open primaries amendment deserves support
The Florida Times-Union|November 2020
Events:
The Amendment 3 Debate: Would Top-Two Primaries Be Good For Florida?
October 2020
In the Media, Publications:
Let all voters take part in the primaries | Column
Tampa Bay Times|October 2020
Land Development News Update, Publications:
What's Developing | Fall 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2020
Publications:
Alternate history article got the result wrong | Opinion
Tallahassee Democrat|October 2020
Publications:
Chapter 6 - The Structure of Primaries
A Divided Union: Structural Challenges to Bipartisanship in America | Routledge|October 2020
In the Media, Publications:
Guest opinion: Should every registered voter be allowed to vote?
The News-Press|September 2020
In the Media, Publications:
Should every registered voter be allowed to vote?
The Gainesville Sun|September 2020
Newsroom
In the Media:
Tech Orgs Say New Fla. Social Media Law Limits Free Speech
Law360|May 2021
In the Media:
Tech Trade Groups Sue Over Florida’s New Social Media Law
Bloomberg Law|May 2021
In the Media:
Conservancy loses legal fight against rural village Rivergrass
Naples Daily News|May 2021
In the Media:
Right to Farm
Sunrise: A Florida Politics Podcast |April 2021
In the Media, Publications:
Column: Open primaries amendment deserves support
The Florida Times-Union|November 2020
In the Media:
This Week in South Florida: Glenn Burhans, Sean Shaw discussed Amendment 3 on TWISF
WPLG Local10.com|October 2020
In the Media, Publications:
Let all voters take part in the primaries | Column
Tampa Bay Times|October 2020
In the Media:
On the Ballot – 2020 Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3
The Florida Channel|October 2020