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Jennifer Ellis Burke

Member

jburke@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (617) 951-2013  
- Boston, MA – Federal Reserve Office

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Jennifer Ellis Burke
Profile
Representative Matters
Resources
Distinctions

Jennifer’s civil litigation practice focuses on the defense of employment claims, medical malpractice claims, nursing home matters, premises liability cases, construction accidents, defamation and professional liability matters. In addition, she has extensive experience analyzing insurance coverage claims and litigating insurance matters.

Her clients range from small family-run business to large corporations and include hospitals, medical providers, dentists, physician practice groups, auto dealerships, non-profits, fitness centers, franchisees, daycare centers, universities, retail stores, construction supply companies, manufacturers, property managers and others.

Jennifer frequently represents employers faced with discrimination claims. She has represented numerous employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. Jennifer approaches each case with determination but without losing sight of the end goal, which is always the successful resolution of the matter.

In addition to defending employers in litigation matters, Jennifer also acts as a resource to her clients by providing them with valuable advice and counsel focused on preventing claims.

Jennifer also has extensive experience representing insurers in declaratory judgment actions regarding policy coverage. She also provides insurers with out-of-court advice, including insurance coverage analysis and the avoidance of bad faith claims.

From the beginning of her career, Jennifer has also enjoyed defending medical professionals and nursing homes against malpractice claims. She has successfully defended, at trial, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, hospitals and long-term acute care hospitals.

The variety of matters that Jennifer has handled and successfully resolved throughout her career has helped her develop the ability to analyze and evaluate a broad range of matters. Jennifer brings experience, intelligence, instinct and insight to each of her cases.

Jennifer is an experienced lecturer, having spoken to numerous employers about effective employment policies and practices, as well as to health care professionals and nursing home administrators on managing medical malpractice risks. She has also lectured to insurance professionals about avoiding bad faith claims and handling M.G.L. c. 93A claims.

  • Diane Madden and Parke Madden, Executors of the Estate of Paul H. Madden v. Albert Loerinc, M.D., et. al., Suffolk Super. Ct. (defense verdict March 4, 2016 in medical malpractice trial).
  • Talia Lauria v. R.W. Sullivan, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (defense finding 2014 at public hearing in discrimination case).
  • Obtained dismissal of a negligence complaint against a for-profit hospital on the grounds the hospital did not have a special relationship with the third-party plaintiff that created a duty for the hospital to control the actions of a patient in order to protect the third-party plaintiff from unforeseeable harm.  The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed the judgment finding that the rescue doctrine did not apply. The plaintiff, who sought to rescue a patient and who was injured during the rescue, was not owed a duty by the hospital because the plaintiff’s injuries were not foreseeable.
  • Routinely successfully obtains dismissals for lack of probable cause of charges filed before the MCAD and EEOC on behalf of employers charged with discrimination and retaliation.
  • Successfully mediated multiple Wage and Hour class actions on behalf of auto dealerships.
  • Successfully settled multiple cases involving allegations that employers violated the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave Act.
  • Successfully defended and resolved defamation claims against two non-profit corporations.
  • Successfully defended and resolved multiple cases on behalf of contractors involving construction site accidents.

Professional and Civic

  • Defense Research Institute, member
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, member
  • Boston Bar Association, member
  • American Bar Association, member

 

Admissions
MassachusettsU.S. Court of Appeals, First CircuitU.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Education

Harvard University

JD 
1989

University of Virginia

BA 
1986
  • with honors

Capabilities

Legal Practices

Member of:

Labor and Employment
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Jennifer Ellis Burke

Jennifer Ellis Burke

Member

jburke@harrisbeachmurtha.com
Capabilities
People
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Jennifer Ellis Burke

Jennifer Ellis Burke

jburke@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (617) 951-2013
Boston, MA - Federal Reserve Office

Profile

Jennifer’s civil litigation practice focuses on the defense of employment claims, medical malpractice claims, nursing home matters, premises liability cases, construction accidents, defamation and professional liability matters. In addition, she has extensive experience analyzing insurance coverage claims and litigating insurance matters.

Her clients range from small family-run business to large corporations and include hospitals, medical providers, dentists, physician practice groups, auto dealerships, non-profits, fitness centers, franchisees, daycare centers, universities, retail stores, construction supply companies, manufacturers, property managers and others.

Jennifer frequently represents employers faced with discrimination claims. She has represented numerous employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. Jennifer approaches each case with determination but without losing sight of the end goal, which is always the successful resolution of the matter.

In addition to defending employers in litigation matters, Jennifer also acts as a resource to her clients by providing them with valuable advice and counsel focused on preventing claims.

Jennifer also has extensive experience representing insurers in declaratory judgment actions regarding policy coverage. She also provides insurers with out-of-court advice, including insurance coverage analysis and the avoidance of bad faith claims.

From the beginning of her career, Jennifer has also enjoyed defending medical professionals and nursing homes against malpractice claims. She has successfully defended, at trial, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, hospitals and long-term acute care hospitals.

The variety of matters that Jennifer has handled and successfully resolved throughout her career has helped her develop the ability to analyze and evaluate a broad range of matters. Jennifer brings experience, intelligence, instinct and insight to each of her cases.

Jennifer is an experienced lecturer, having spoken to numerous employers about effective employment policies and practices, as well as to health care professionals and nursing home administrators on managing medical malpractice risks. She has also lectured to insurance professionals about avoiding bad faith claims and handling M.G.L. c. 93A claims.

Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Member of:

Labor and Employment
Please select listing to show.

Admissions

MassachusettsU.S. Court of Appeals, First CircuitU.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

Representative Matters

  • Diane Madden and Parke Madden, Executors of the Estate of Paul H. Madden v. Albert Loerinc, M.D., et. al., Suffolk Super. Ct. (defense verdict March 4, 2016 in medical malpractice trial).
  • Talia Lauria v. R.W. Sullivan, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (defense finding 2014 at public hearing in discrimination case).
  • Obtained dismissal of a negligence complaint against a for-profit hospital on the grounds the hospital did not have a special relationship with the third-party plaintiff that created a duty for the hospital to control the actions of a patient in order to protect the third-party plaintiff from unforeseeable harm.  The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed the judgment finding that the rescue doctrine did not apply. The plaintiff, who sought to rescue a patient and who was injured during the rescue, was not owed a duty by the hospital because the plaintiff’s injuries were not foreseeable.
  • Routinely successfully obtains dismissals for lack of probable cause of charges filed before the MCAD and EEOC on behalf of employers charged with discrimination and retaliation.
  • Successfully mediated multiple Wage and Hour class actions on behalf of auto dealerships.
  • Successfully settled multiple cases involving allegations that employers violated the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave Act.
  • Successfully defended and resolved defamation claims against two non-profit corporations.
  • Successfully defended and resolved multiple cases on behalf of contractors involving construction site accidents.

Distinctions

Professional and Civic

  • Defense Research Institute, member
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, member
  • Boston Bar Association, member
  • American Bar Association, member

 

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2026 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC
Content current as of September 5, 2026 4:15 am