Janet E. Burney began her journey as General Counsel/Deputy General Manager for Legal Affairs in 2022, bringing with her a commitment to public service shown over her vast legal career. Since her arrival at GCRTA in 2012, she has provided services and guidance across the Authority. As General Counsel, she serves as the organization’s Chief Legal, Safety and Ethics Officer. Ms. Burney leads three departments including Legal (including Claims), Safety and Risk Management.
PREVIOUS STOPS
Attorney Burney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Skidmore College and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, she was employed as an Assistant Head Nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.
As a lawyer for over 30 years, Attorney Burney has demonstrated a commitment to public service. She is a former Chief Assistant Director of Law for the City of Cleveland. From January 1999 to January 2005, Attorney Burney served as a Judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Court Division. She was the first African American woman elected to Juvenile Court in Cuyahoga County and the second African American woman elected to a Juvenile Court in the State of Ohio.
Attorney Burney joined GCRTA in 2012 as Senior Counsel for Contracts and Real Estate. Later that year, she became Deputy General Counsel for Administrative, Labor and Transactional Law. She has served the Authority as General Counsel since July 2022.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Attorney Burney’s commitment to the community is demonstrated through her record of service on various boards and commissions. That history includes membership on the Boards of Trustees for the St. Luke’s Foundation, the Fund for Our Economic Future, the Health Trustee Institute, Caritas Health System, the Cleveland Bar Association, Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Public Defender Commission, and Interchurch Council of Greater Cleveland. Attorney Burney is a life member and honorary trustee of the Cleveland Marshall Law Alumni Association.