AFL General Counsel Receives Clemson Alumni Distinguished Service Award

05/04/2016

Spartanburg, SC – Grant Burns, vice president and general counsel of AFL and Clemson University Alumnus, received the Distinguished Service Award which recognizes outstanding alumni who have given back to the Clemson community. Presented by the Clemson Alumni Association, the award is the highest honor that the Association bestows on an alumnus or alumna. Burns is one of five individuals that received this award in a special ceremony.

“I’m humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award alongside four additional outstanding Clemson alumni,” commented Burns. “Volunteer service has enriched my career over the years and at AFL I am fortunate to work with a company which is highly supportive of community engagement as one of its core values.”

The award is based on three main criteria—dedication and service to Clemson University, personal and professional accomplishments and devotion to their community and public service. The nomination process is highly competitive and supports those who have given back. Of Clemson University’s 140,000 living alumni, less than 200 have been honored with this distinction.

Grant Burns serves as vice president and general counsel for AFL, overseeing all legal matters, including corporate governance, intellectual property, litigation and securities compliance as well as government affairs. Burns is also involved in the strategic and legal activities of Fujikura Automotive America (FAA) and Fujikura America Incorporated (FAI).

Burns’ legal experience spans more than 25 years. Burns most recently served with Nexsen Pruet, LLC, where he focused primarily on first chair litigation, compliance and labor and employment matters. Previously a Shareholder with Ogletree Deakins, he tried numerous cases to juries in state and federal courts and advised clients on labor, employment and contractual issues. During his career in private practice, he was recognized for excellence by publications such as The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell (AV).

Burns graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minor in Economics. He also holds a Juris Doctor from the Washington and Lee University School of Law. Burns is a member of the South Carolina and Virginia State Bar, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Defense Research Institute’s Corporate Counsel Committee. He has served on the Clemson University Board of Visitors and is the former president of the University’s Alumni Association. Currently, Burns serves on the Upstate SC Alliance Executive Committee, Spartanburg Community College Development Board and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board.

For more information about AFL, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

Pictured (L to R): James Clements, Clemson University President; Grant Burns, Vice President and General Counsel, AFL and Clemson Alumnus; Danny Gregg, Clemson Alumni Association President

About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, enterprise and OEM markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, renewables and transportation. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL’s service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting OEM, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com. 

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