Michael Burns

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

Michael Burns is CSX's Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. Appointed in 2025, he oversees the company's legal and regulatory affairs, government affairs, community investments, the corporate secretary’s office, risk management, freight claims, police and infrastructure protection, environmental and hazardous materials, compliance, and audit functions.

Burns brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously served as CSX Vice President and General Counsel. Since joining the company in 2006, he has advanced through positions of increasing responsibility, initially focusing on employment and benefits law before assuming responsibility for the full law department and additional functions, including corporate secretary, risk management, environmental and hazardous materials, insurance and freight claims functions. Prior to joining CSX, Burns practiced labor and employment law for five years at a prestigious law firm in Indiana.

Beyond his legal expertise, Burns participated in the 2024 World50 Next Leader Program. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida State College of Jacksonville Foundation.

Burns holds a bachelor's degree from Wabash College and a Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He has also completed the CSX Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School.

 

CSX Management Team