Morgan Murphy Media General Counsel Richard Burns To Retire

After 45 years of service, Morgan Murphy Media general counsel Richard Burns will retire at the end of the year.

Jonathan Allen

Media attorney Jonathan Allen will assume the leadership role after decades of legal consulting work with MMM.

“It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the Murphy family for nearly a half century,” said MMM general counsel Richard Burns. “I will miss my regular contact with the employees of the Morgan Murphy Media family particularly with the corporate office and managers.”

Burns started working for the family with various legal projects as outside counsel before being named general counsel in 1984. Since then, he’s overseen all legal issues and served on the company’s board of directors.

“I want to thank Richard for his unwavering support for me, my family and this company,” said Elizabeth Murphy Burns, Morgan Murphy Media president-CEO. “His contributions have been immense.”

“Jon is the ideal person to oversee the company’s legal matters,” Burns said. “I know Jon will continue to defend our First Amendment rights to provide quality news and information to the communities we serve and stay on all emerging trends in media technology. He is a bright, seasoned attorney with a quick wit.”

Allen has worked with Morgan Murphy Media since 2000 handling FCC regulatory matters and other legal consultation. He has provided legal, strategic and business guidance to broadcasters, broadband providers, and other clients in communications and technology industries.

“It’s an honor to take on this new role in support of the family’s long- standing and widely recognized commitment to community service,” Allen said. “Many thanks to Richard Burns for his guidance and leadership.”

Allen is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Burns will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors and is being named a special advisor to the executive team.

The change is effective Dec. 31.