Longtime McGuireWoods leader Robert Burrus dies at 91 

Robert L. Burrus Jr., a longtime leader at McGuireWoods who most recently served as chairman emeritus of the Richmond-based firm, died July 12. He was 91 years old. 

After being elected chairman in 1990, he oversaw the firm grow to become the largest in Virginia and a prominent firm across the United States. Burrus oversaw the firm — then known as McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe — expand from six offices almost exclusively in Virginia to 18 across the country during his 16-year tenure. 

Burrus also oversaw the launch of McGuireWoods Consulting in 1998, which today provides bipartisan lobbying services before state and federal executive and legislative branches.  

One of Burrus’ most significant cases came in 1994, when he represented Dominion Resources (now Dominion Energy) during a corporate dispute with Virginia Power, its regional subsidiary. The dispute involved a boardroom coup against then-Dominion Resources CEO Thomas Capps. 

The dispute ultimately resolved with Dominion in full control after involvement by the State Corporation Commission and General Assembly. 

Capps later told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Burrus “was the first call I made,” adding “you don’t get that kind of recognition and respect without having great talent.” 

During his career, Burrus counseled many Richmond-area businesses seeking to convert from private to public corporations, including Best Products Co. and Heilig-Meyers. His experience serving as outside legal counsel extended to Fortune 500 companies including Circuit City. 

Burrus served on numerous corporate boards during his career, including with CSX and Smithfield Foods. 

Born in Orange County in 1934, Burrus graduated high school at age 16 and enrolled at the University of Richmond, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He went on to graduate from the Duke University School of Law, where he was a member of the law journal. 

Burrus then joined the firm that later became McGuireWoods but took a six-month absence to serve in the U.S. Army. He later served the U.S. Army Reserve for more than five years, where he retired as captain. 

In 1985, Burrus was appointed to the State Council of Higher Education by then-Gov. Charles Robb. Burrus later served the council as chairman. 

Burrus remained involved with the University of Richmond for many years, including longtime service on the university’s board of trustees. He twice chaired presidential search committees for the university and served as the university’s rector from 1998 to 2002.  

The University of Richmond honored Burrus with the Trustees Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2005. 

The university annually awards students within the university’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies with Robert L. Burrus Jr. Fellowships, which allow students to intern for organizations both domestic and international. Friends of Burrus founded the fellowship program to honor his service to the university and to McGuireWoods. 

Burrus was also a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Virginia Law Foundation and served as a trustee for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society. He credited Sydney and Frances Lewis, co-founders of Best Products, with inspiring his passion for art and local artists. 

Burrus is survived by his sons, David, Peter and Lewis; his granddaughters, Abigail, Eve and Maggie; and his sister, Bessie.