Trial Lawyer of the Year Award: Jim Burnham

Jim Burnham has the same love of the law and the same attraction to the courtroom that both his father and grandfather had. His father, Judge Martin Burnham, spent three decades on the bench in Dallas and continued to work until he was 80 years old.

As a trial lawyer, Mr. Burnham benefits from extensive experience on both the prosecutorial and defense sides of the bar. After graduating from SMU School of Law, he was hired by legendary District Attorney Henry Wade as an assistant district attorney.

“My goal was to be a trial lawyer, and nobody tries more cases than a prosecutor,” says Mr. Burnham. He prosecuted more than 400 felony jury trials and presented 20,000 cases to the Dallas County grand jury in his career as assistant district attorney.

During the 16 years that he worked as an assistant district attorney, Henry Wade served as his mentor. Mr. Burnham says, “Mr. Wade was a brilliant man and an accomplished trial lawyer. He counseled me and unlike many district attorneys, he actually tried cases.” He was fortunate enough to have tried and won a case as co-counsel to Henry Wade. Mr. Burnham recommends the district attorney’s office or the U.S. Attorney’s office to young lawyers looking for trial experience.

“Jim Burnham is a very deserving recipient of the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. With more than 30 years experience as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, his thorough and diligent preparation for trial and exceptional trial skills set him apart,” said DBA President Frank E. Stevenson II. “He has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the criminal justice system and our community, and for that the bar is extremely thankful.”

In 1985, Mr. Burnham established a private law practice, specializing in federal and state criminal cases. He began his private law practice in the midst of the savings and loan scandal and was referred a number of cases regarding financial entities by lawyers familiar with his reputation and work ethic. The complexity of financial crimes continues to interest him and is one of the areas of his state and federal practice.

Mr. Burnham has learned that preparation and good judgment are essential to any successful trial. He tells his clients, that just as reducing the number of turnovers is essential to winning football games, it is hard to recover from turnovers in trial — thus, he spends a great deal of time on preparation and trial strategy. It is a philosophy that has served him well as evidenced by his record of acquittals in state and federal court.

Mr. Burnham served as chairman of the District 6A Grievance Committee, and he has extensive experience representing attorneys facing disciplinary action and license suspension before the State Bar Grievance Committee.

Mr. Burnham became a member of the DBA early in his career. “Participation in the DBA makes you a better lawyer. It offers a great opportunity for professional development and interaction with other lawyers and judges,” he notes.

He served as DBA president in 1996. He laughs when he recalls that the band the Dixie Chicks were just getting started around the time of his inaugural and they were excited to be able to play at the DBA event. “They were so sweet and kept calling me Mr. Burnham, like I was someone really special,” he recalls.

In addition to serving as DBA president, he served on the board of directors and as chairman of the board. He is a fellow and former trustee of the Dallas Bar Foundation and is a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He is also a member of the American Law Institute.

A graduate of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, Mr. Burnham is a longtime member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. He has served as president of Dispute Mediation Services of Dallas and president of St. Thomas More Society. He has also served on the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

He is married to Diane DeClerk Burnham and has two daughters, Anne and Amy. He is an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Mr. Burnham will be recognized as Trial Lawyer of the Year at the Bench Bar Conference on September 25, 2008, at the Horseshoe Bay Marriott Resort.