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Glenn Burton was prominent lawyer, about to become TSA member
Posted Jun 25, 2009 by William March
Updated Jun 25, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Prominent Tampa lawyer Glenn Burton, on the verge of accepting an appointment to the Tampa Sports Authority, died Tuesday just as his appointment was being made official.
Burton, 51, died of a heart attack while driving his car on Interstate 4 on the eastern outskirts of Tampa Wednesday evening, according to family members. His wife Nancy, a passenger in the car, managed to bring it to a halt from highway speed.
The couple have one son.
Burton was a lifelong Tampa resident after coming here with his family as a child. He attended the University of Florida and Stetson University law school, and practiced law in Tampa for his entire career, beginning in 1983.
He was incoming head of the trial lawyers section of the Florida Bar, had published several books on trial law practice, and was active in the Boy Scouts and Easter Seals.
Burton was also a supporter of Gov. Charlie Crist, who was in the process of naming him to a seat on the Tampa Sports Authority, one of his longtime ambitions.
http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=4411060321411%20
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Anthony Cappadoro
By SHANNON BEHNKENPublished: June 26, 2009
Prominent Tampa trial lawyer Glenn M. Burton died Wednesday, the same day Florida's governor decided to appoint him to the board of the Tampa Sports Authority.
Burton, 51, was driving back from a Florida Bar convention in Orlando when his heart stopped shortly after 6 p.m., said Nancy Burton, his wife of 28 years.
The two were on Interstate 4, near the Hard Rock Casino when Burton slumped over. His wife said the car was at full speed when she took control of the wheel, used her hand to press the brake and guided the car onto the grassy median. She and paramedics tried to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation but were unsuccessful.
"Everyone who ever came in contact with Glenn remembers his whit, sense of humor and generosity," Nancy Burton said.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Glenn Mathew Burton Jr, 21.
Burton was a partner in the Tampa law firm, Burton, Beytin & McLaughlin. He was active in the Florida Bar and was chairman-elect of the Trail Lawyers Section of the Bar. He was to be named chairman this week and to officially take the position next week.
He graduated from the University of Florida in 1980 and from Stetson University College of Law in 1983.
His father, Dan Burton, said his son was a devoted father who was active in the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts and served as a mentor to young boys.
"He's always been a wonderful son, from the time he was child he was caring and generous," Dan Burton said. "He carried that through his life."
Erin Issac, spokeswoman for Gov. Charlie Crist, said the governor instructed his appointment office to move forward with Burton's appointment to the sports authority board.
Nancy Burton said her husband had heard the appointment might be forthcoming and had checked messages throughout the day, hoping for good news. He never learned of the appointment, his wife said.
Burton's partners at his law firm said his passing is a major loss for the firm and community. "I can tell you without hesitation that he was one of the best lawyers in the state," said Ken Beytin, a partner in the firm.
Burton helped form the firm in May 2000 and specialized in medical malpractice. He co-authored and helped assemble a book, the Florida Medical Malpractice Handbook, which was published by the Florida Bar. An updated version of the book is set to go to press on Monday, Nancy Burton said.