Central Indiana Business Attorney
Central Indiana Business Attorney Daniel K. Burke
Founder, DKB LEGAL LLC
Indiana Business, Employment & Local Counsel Services
For business owners and executives looking for a trusted Indianapolis business attorney — not just outside counsel — Dan Burke brings over two decades of experience guiding companies of every size through the disputes that put growth, reputation, and profitability at risk.
Dan is the founder and owner of DKB LEGAL LLC, an Indianapolis-area law firm focused on business and employment litigation. He has represented clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to mid-size and small businesses, as well as individual professionals, in the analysis, resolution, and litigation of complex business and employment matters. For decision-makers running a small, midsize, or growing company in Central Indiana, that means a lawyer who understands both the legal stakes and the practical realities of running a business — someone who will give you a straight answer about risk, cost, and the fastest path to resolution.
Before founding DKB LEGAL, Dan practiced with large law firms, including Strasburger Price LLP (now Clark Hill PLC) in Dallas, Texas, and Ice Miller LLP in Indianapolis. He also practiced with Hoover Hull Turner LLP, an Indianapolis firm specializing in complex business and employment matters. That big-firm training, paired with the responsiveness of a boutique practice, is what DKB LEGAL brings to every client relationship.
Dan holds the highest peer review rating (AV Preeminent®) from Martindale-Hubbell, has been selected as an Indiana Super Lawyer** for 2018–2022 and 2024–2026, and was named an Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Star®*** in 2009, 2011, and 2012. He also holds a 10.0 "superb" rating from AVVO.**** Dan was also named one of the “Best Lawyers in Indianapolis” by Indianapolis Monthly magazine in 2026.
Business & Employment Litigation Experience
Dan has counseled and represented business owners and individuals in matters involving:
Noncompetition, non-solicitation, and nondisclosure agreements
Trade secret misappropriation claims
Wage and hour, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims
Attorney and professional malpractice defense
Insurance coverage disputes for carriers and policyholders
Trust litigation, representing trustees and beneficiaries
Business ownership disputes
Real estate and construction disputes involving developers, contractors, and property owners
Products liability defense for manufacturers
Fraud, tortious interference, defamation, breach of contract, and negligence claims
Business merger and acquisition transactions
Education
Dan earned his B.S. from Indiana University – Bloomington (1994) and his law degree, with honors, from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas (1999), where he served on the SMU Law Review.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Speaker, Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Agreements, National Business Institute, April 2020
Speaker, Non-Competes and Restrictive Covenants – Expanding on Core Knowledge, National Business Institute, March 2020
Speaker, Competition, Confidentiality and Covenant Conundrums, National Business Institute, September 2019
Speaker, Dispute Resolution for Agency Owners, Professional Insurance Agents of Indiana Annual Convention, May 2018
Speaker, Negotiating Dispute Resolution, Death, Disability and Other Dangerous Provisions, National Business Institute, March 2018
Speaker, Competition, Confidentiality and Covenant Conundrums, National Business Institute, March 2018
Speaker, Drafting in Anticipation of Litigation, National Business Institute, November 2017
Speaker, Contract Dispute Resolution, National Business Institute, March 2017
Speaker, Evading Contract Enforceability Issues, National Business Institute, March 2017
Speaker, Alternative Dispute Resolution – Arbitration, National Business Institute, September 2015
Author, Non-Solicitation Agreements Won't Extend to Past Customers, Hoover Hull Turner LLP Newsletter, Spring 2015
Speaker, Indiana Civil Law Update, Indiana State Judicial Conference, September 2013
Co-Author, Recent Developments in Indiana Civil Procedure, 46 Ind. L. Rev. 975 (2013)
Co-Author, Recent Developments in Indiana Civil Procedure, 45 Ind. L. Rev. 1011 (2012)
Author, Asset Protection through Noncompetition Agreements, Hoover Hull LLP Newsletter, Spring 2011
Author, Recent Developments in Indiana Civil Procedure, 44 Ind. L. Rev. 1087 (2011)
Author, Recent Developments in Indiana Civil Procedure, 43 Ind. L. Rev. 639 (2010)
Author, Recent Developments in Indiana Civil Procedure, 42 Ind. L. Rev. 879 (2009)
Co-Author, Recent Developments in Indiana Civil Procedure, 41 Ind. L. Rev. 883 (2008)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Indiana local counsel attorney do? Local counsel is an Indiana-licensed attorney who partners with out-of-state or lead counsel to handle court admissions, filings, and procedural requirements specific to Indiana state and federal courts. DKB LEGAL serves as local counsel for firms and companies litigating in Indiana without an established presence in the state.
Why would a business need a conflicts referral? A conflict of interest arises when an attorney or firm has a prior or existing relationship that prevents them from representing a new client on a specific matter. When this happens, DKB LEGAL can accept the referral so the matter moves forward without delay.
What size businesses does DKB LEGAL represent? DKB LEGAL represents businesses of all sizes — from startups and small businesses to midsize companies and Fortune 100 corporations — as well as individual professionals.
What areas of business law does Dan Burke practice? Dan focuses on business and employment litigation, including noncompete and nondisclosure disputes, trade secret misappropriation, wage and hour and discrimination claims, insurance coverage disputes, trust litigation, business ownership disputes, and mergers and acquisitions.
Professional Admissions, Associations and Memberships
Indiana State Bar
Texas State Bar (Inactive)
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, the Northern District of Illinois, and the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas
United States Tax Court
American, Indiana and Indianapolis Bar Associations
Fellow of the Indiana Bar Association
Ready to talk about your business or legal matter? Contact Dan Burke directly at 317-709-4242 or Dan@DKBLegal.com.
AV Preeminent® is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.
*The Super Lawyer selection process is based on nominations by attorneys licensed in Indiana, combined with third-party research. Up to 5% of lawyers in the state are selected as Super Lawyers.
**The Rising Star selection process (limited to attorneys 40 years of age or younger or in practice for 10 years or less) is based on nominations by attorneys licensed in Indiana combined with third-party research. Up to 2.5% of eligible lawyers in the state are selected as Rising Stars®.