Jim Burnham is a criminal defense attorney who represented a certain Hawaiian-shirted, balding magazine editor in an unfortunate DWI case about 15 years ago. The Dallas Bar Association believes he’s good at his job. I’ll just have to take their word for it, I guess. (Full release after the jump.)
Dallas Bar Association Names Burnham Trial Lawyer of the Year
Noted criminal defense attorney cited for “exceptional skills”
DALLAS (Sept. 9, 2008) – One of the top criminal defense attorneys in Texas is now at the top of the Dallas Bar Association’s annual awards list as well.
Jim Burnham has been named 2008 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Dallas Bar Association (DBA). He will accept the honor at the DBA’s Bench Bar Conference on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Horseshoe Bay Marriott Resort.
Burnham, who also served as a past president and chairman of the board of the DBA, heads the Dallas-based law firm that carries his name, Jim Burnham, Attorney at Law.
Known for his winning track record in defending individuals and companies accused of federal and state criminal offenses, Burnham served as a top assistant to District Attorney Henry Wade before opening his own law practice.
During his 16 year-term with Wade, Burnham prosecuted more than 400 jury trials. He also supervised and presented more than 20,000 cases to the Dallas County Grand Jury.
According to Frank E. Stevenson II, president of the Dallas Bar Association, “Jim Burnham is a very deserving recipient of the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award.”
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DBA Honors Burnham/2
“With more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, his thorough and diligent preparation, combined with exceptional trial skills, set him apart. He has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the criminal justice system and our community, and for that the bar is extremely thankful,” he said.
Among other honors, Burnham is a fellow and former trustee of the Dallas Bar Foundation and a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
He has also been selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America by Woodward/White (2001-2007); Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine (2001-2008); and Preeminent Lawyers by Martindale Hubbard (2005-2007).
A member of the American Law Institute, he has additionally served as president of Dispute Mediation Services of Dallas and as president of the St. Thomas More Society. He is a longtime member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, a former director of Big Brothers Big Sisters and an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church.
Burnham is a graduate of the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Dallas and J.D. degree from the SMU School of Law.
“My goal coming out of law school was to become a trial lawyer, so receiving this award is truly an honor,” Burnham said. “It’s especially gratifying that the DBA has given a sole practitioner an award that typically goes to a “big firm” attorney. I am very grateful,” he added.
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