10 CSX legal leaders
Michael Burns, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at CSX, is one of ten CSX legal leaders here, alongside people who hold associate general counsel, assistant general counsel and legal operations director roles. A reader can learn how legal leaders work at CSX from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Colin Connor
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · CSX
Colin Connor has been Assistant General Counsel at CSX since September 2019, based in Metro Jacksonville, and the profile lists the same title at CSX Transportation from the same date. At CSX, Colin Connor was also Counsel (2011–2016), and the profile lists Senior Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel roles at CSX Transportation from 2016.
Daniel Schmitt
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · CSX
Daniel Schmitt has been Assistant General Counsel at CSX since August 2022, with a profile headline that lists litigation, enforcement, regulatory and transactions work. At CSX, Daniel Schmitt was also Senior Counsel (2017–2022) and Corporate Counsel (2013–2017), and the profile lists Associate at Gibson Dunn (2008–2013).
David Hoffman
LinkedInExperience: Associate General Counsel · CSX
David Hoffman has been Associate General Counsel at CSX since March 2017, based in Jacksonville, Florida. At CSX, David Hoffman was also Assistant General Counsel (2013–2017), Senior Counsel (2008–2013) and Counsel (2002–2008), and the profile lists Associate at Smith Gambrell Russell (2000–2002).
David Prohofsky
LinkedInExperience: Asst. Gen. Counsel · CSX Transportation, Inc.
David Prohofsky has been Asst. Gen. Counsel at CSX Transportation, Inc. since July 2008, based in Jacksonville, Florida, and the highlight describes serving the Real Estate, Procurement and Sales & Marketing teams and working on administrative law matters relating to economic regulation. The profile also lists Associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (1999–2008).
Jason Marques
LinkedInExperience: Associate General Counsel · CSX
Jason Marques has been Associate General Counsel at CSX since January 2026, a role the highlight places in Jacksonville, Florida. At CSX, Jason Marques was also Assistant General Counsel (2022–2026), Senior Counsel (2018–2022) and Counsel (2012–2018), and the profile lists Law Clerk at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (2009–2012).
John Patelli
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & General Counsel · CSX
John Patelli has been Vice President & General Counsel at CSX since January 2026, a role the highlight describes as overseeing the law and environmental departments. At CSX, John Patelli was also VP & Chief Regulatory Counsel (2023–2026), Chief Regulatory Counsel (2022–2023), Head of Regulatory & Federal Affairs (2019–2022) and Associate General Counsel (2017–2019).
Kacey Heekin-Luchin
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary · CSX
Kacey Heekin-Luchin has been Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary at CSX since January 2026, based in Jacksonville, Florida. At CSX, Kacey Heekin-Luchin was also Senior Counsel, Office of Corporate Secretary (2022–2026), and the profile lists Associate at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (2020–2022) and Healthcare Associate at Foley & Lardner LLP (2019–2020).
Latasha Garrison
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · CSX
Latasha Garrison has been Assistant General Counsel at CSX since June 2021, based in Jacksonville, Florida. At CSX, Latasha Garrison was also Senior Counsel (2013–2021), and the profile lists Shareholder (2011–2013) and Senior Counsel (2007–2011) at Taylor, Day, Grimm & Boyd and Senior Counsel at Foley & Lardner LLP (1999–2007).
Lisa Balter
LinkedInExperience: Sr Director Legal Operations · CSX
Lisa Balter has been Sr Director Legal Operations at CSX since February 2025, based in Jacksonville, Florida. At CSX, Lisa Balter was also Director of Legal Operations (2021–2025) and Director Information Management (2008–2021), and the profile lists Director at CSX Technology (1991–2008).
Michael Burns
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary · CSX
Michael Burns has been Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at CSX since January 2025, based in Metro Jacksonville. At CSX, Michael Burns was also Vice President, General Counsel (2017–2025), Associate General Counsel (2017), Assistant General Counsel (2015–2017) and Senior Counsel (2012–2015).
Choose the right perspective
Choose the lawyer whose practice area, such as regulatory, litigation, real estate or corporate governance, is closest to the matter you want to understand. Weigh how long each person has been in the current role, since a long-tenured counsel and a recent appointee can describe the same work differently.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which kinds of matters take most of your time in your current legal role?
- 02How do you decide what to handle in-house and what to send to outside counsel?
- 03What changed in your work when you moved from a law firm or a counsel role into your current position?
Reaching CSX legal leaders
How can I contact one of these CSX legal leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: CSX and CSX Transportation, Inc., based on profile data retrieved on October 17, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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