S. Burr Eckstut
Burr regularly negotiates IP licensing, development and acquisition agreements; technology services agreements (including SaaS, IaaS and PaaS agreements) and manufacturing, sourcing, distribution and other commercial agreements for clients in a wide range of industries. He also advises on the IP and technology aspects of M&A, joint venture, venture capital and other corporate transactions.
Burr has extensive experience helping clients navigate the evolving legal, regulatory and commercial issues surrounding AI, including governance, training data licensing and contracting for the provision/procurement of AI solutions.
A recognized leader in the fintech space, Burr has a long and successful track record in matters involving blockchain technologies (including digital assets and DeFi), digital and open banking, payments, marketplace lending and financial market technology and data.
In the energy and infrastructure sectors, Burr has extensive experience advising clients in transactions, investments and key arrangements and agreements, in connection with innovative technologies relating to energy transition such as renewable energy, carbon capture, battery energy storage systems (BESS), charging networks, lithium production and sustainable fuels production (including hydrogen/ammonia, modular nuclear reactors, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and biofuels).
Burr is recognized by Chambers & Partners as both a leading technology practitioner and a leading practitioner in the fintech industry.
“Burr is great on substance and at being practical. He knows the industry and the tech as well as anyone.” – Chambers & Partners, FinTech Legal – Nationwide, 2024.
“Burr is a super hard worker and does a great job navigating issues in a complicated area.” – Chambers & Partners, Technology – New York, 2025.
“Burr has proven to be an excellent thought partner and a credible expert in FinTech. He understands the issues facing early-stage start-ups that are trying to scale and applies a pragmatic approach.” – Chambers & Partners, FinTech Legal – Nationwide, 2025.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- Artificial Intelligence
Advising Silicon Data – a company redefining transparency in the compute markets that power GenAI by delivering risk management products, real-time intelligence and critical insights into GPU infrastructure – on various aspects of the launch of its data products and services.*
Advising a leading tech-enabled financial markets participant on a wide range of matters involving the licensing and use of AI technologies.*
Represented global cloud enterprise software company in its acquisition of a California-based Industrial AI software company that provides automated, high-speed data analysis to the manufacturing and defense industries.*
Represented a private equity firm in licensing a GenAI platform to use for business analysis for the benefit of its portfolio companies.*
(*Indicates work done prior to joining the firm.)
- FinTech
Advising OneAM – the operator of an innovative platform that leverages data and technology to connect funders and businesses seeking working capital solutions – on product development and commercial agreements.*
Advising a leading high-frequency trading firm in a wide range of financial data and technology agreements.*
Advising a leading digital asset firm on a wide range of financial data and technology agreements.*
Represented a leading U.S. custody bank in connection with customer agreements for its innovative fintech products and services.*
Represented one of the world's largest digital banking platforms on its strategic procurement of cloud services from a hyperscaler.*
Represented a global leader in personal financial data aggregation and analytics in a range of open banking data agreements, including data access agreements with tier-1 financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Capital One, TD Bank, and Charles Schwab.*
(*Indicates work done prior to joining the firm.)
- Energy
Represented a leading integrated energy company in a joint venture with a renewable energy company for the demonstration and deployment of technologies critical for scaling production of an essential commodity for energy transition.*
Represented a leading integrated power company in a multi-billion dollar acquisition of a leading smart home platform company.*
Represented a pioneering carbon capture company in its joint venture with a global technology company in the energy industry through which the technology company contributed its IP and existing equipment in return for 80% of the shares of the holding company.*
Represented a leading energy infrastructure company in a technology license agreement, engineering agreement, FEED Agreement and Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement for the development of a green ammonia plant, which, once completed, will become one of the largest in the United States.*
Represented a dedicated infrastructure investment firm in its majority investment into an industry-leading provider of EV charging solutions.*
Represented a provider of innovative solar power conversion and storage products, in a de-SPAC transaction.*
(*Indicates work done prior to joining the firm.)
- Other
Represented a leading adtech company in the acquisition of another adtech company and a strategic joint venture with advertising agencies.*
Represented a Finland-headquartered consumer cyber security company in its carveout acquisition of a mobile consumer security business.*
Represented a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in a de-SPAC transaction with a leading television studio and motion picture company.*
Represented a leading managed care organization in the carveout acquisition of a software-driven bill review solutions business.*
(*Indicates work done prior to joining the firm.)
Background
Education
- J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2008
- Order of the Coif, magna cum laude, Duke Law Journal
- M.A., Economics, Duke University, 2008
- B.A., Mathematics, Grinnell College, 2005
- A.A., Liberal Arts, Simons Rock of Bard College, 2001
Bar Admissions
Recognition
Chambers and Partners’ Chambers USA
Chambers and Partners’ Chambers USA