Robert Burnstine
Portfolio Manager at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC
About
Robert Burnstine is a Portfolio Manager at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, based in Chicago, Illinois. At Kovitz, he is responsible for managing discretionary investment portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients, focusing on asset allocation, security selection, and implementing the firm's investment philosophy. His primary asset classes include equities and fixed income securities, employing a disciplined fundamental analysis approach with an emphasis on risk management and long-term capital appreciation.
Prior to joining Kovitz in 2017, Burnstine co-founded Fairpointe Capital, where he served as President and Portfolio Manager, overseeing client portfolios and leading investment strategy across multiple sectors. He also spent a decade as Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst at Harris Associates, where he further honed his expertise in equity and fixed income investing. Across these roles, his focus has included large-cap and mid-cap U.S. equities, as well as balanced strategies integrating both stocks and bonds.
Burnstine holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Michigan. His significant achievements include co-founding a successful investment firm and developing robust investment strategies that prioritize a margin of safety and client-specific objectives, establishing him as a trusted advisor in the investment management community.
Career History
| Organization | Role | Date Range | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kovitz Investment Group | Portfolio Manager | May 2017 to Present | — |
| Fairpointe Capital | Co-Founder, President and Portfolio Manager | Feb 2011 to Apr 2017 | Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst |
| Harris Associates | Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst | Mar 2001 to Feb 2011 | Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst |
| Talon Asset Management | Managing Director | Mar 1997 to Feb 2001 | Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst—Private Equity |
| Chase Securities/Chase Manhattan Bank—Merchant Banking | Senior Associate | Oct 1994 to Mar 1997 | Investment Analysis |
| Kirkland & Ellis | Associate | Sep 1989 to Oct 1994 | Private Equity/Mergers and Acquisitions Transactional Attorney |
Education
Harvard Law School
Doctor of Law - JD, Law
1986 — 1989
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Accounting
1982 — 1986
Others at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (11)
| Name | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Analyst | Chicago, IL , United States | |
| Principal | Chicago, IL , United States | |
D Dan Murphy | Principal and Portfolio Manager, Kovitz, Madison-WI | Madison, WI , United States |
| Principal, Portfolio Manager | Aliso Viejo, CA , United States | |
J Jason Petitte | Principal, Senior Research Analyst | Chicago, IL , United States |
J Joel Hirsh | Co-Chief Investment Officer | Chicago, IL , United States |
J Jonathan Shapiro | Principal | Chicago, IL , United States |
| Portfolio Manager | Lake Forest, IL , United States | |
| Client Portfolio Manager | Highland Park, IL , United States | |
C Christopher Quigley | Senior Research Analyst | Aliso Viejo, CA , United States |