John J. Burke

Spokane County Collaborative Professionals

Collaborative Team Role

Burke Law Group, PLLC
Main Office
7307 N Division St Suite 203
Spokane, WA 99208
509) 466-7770/fax (509) 464-0463

Satellite Offices:
2607 S. Southeast Blvd, Suite A-202
Spokane, WA 99223

9209 E. mission Ave., Suite A
Spokane Valley, WA 99206

www.LessPainfulDivorce.com
JohnB@BurkeLG.com

John is a strong believer in, and supporter of, the Collaborative Practice movement in the area of family law, and especially for divorces. He believes that for a majority of the divorces or breakdowns of long term relationships, it is possible to have the couple resolve their issues without having to go through the stress and trauma of court hearings and a trial, with the inherent uncertainty of who the judge will believe and what the judge will decide. Staying out of court can also result in a healthier post-divorce relationship, which can be very important when there are children involved.

John has successfully guided many people through the collaborative process. His own personal observations of the process has reinforced to him the strengths of Collaborative Practice and how Collaborative Practice can help individuals through what can be one of the most difficult times of their life.

John has completed the training recommended by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and has continued to attend supplemental collaborative training in an effort to constantly improve his skills, so that he can provide the best possible service to his clients. Due to John’s enthusiasm for and commitment to Collaborative Practice, he also attended the 2006 and 2007 annual conferences sponsored by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, where he received several days of additional advanced training.

Due to his belief that Collaborative Practice should be the first choice for dispute resolution, John is volunteering his time an officer and director of both Collaborative Professionals of Washington, and of Spokane County Collaborative Professionals. These state-wide and local organizations are active in efforts to educate both the public and the legal profession about Collaborative Practice, and the revolutionary way it helps individuals resolve their cases, when compared to the old traditional adversarial method utilizing the courts.

Something unique about John is that he brings an extensive mix of past experience to his law practice. Prior to attending law school, John had a successful business career, and also served the country as an Air Force officer for four years. It is this combination of practical “real life” experience and legal training that gives John a unique and deep understanding of the desires and issues that cause a person to seek assistance as he or she goes through a difficult family change.

Upon graduating with honors (magna cum laude) from Gonzaga University School of Law, John joined the law firm of Reed & Giesa P.S., a boutique litigation firm. In 2005, John decided to leave Reed & Giesa to establish his own law firm, Burke and Associates Law Office PLLC. John practices in Spokane, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties.

John and his wife have 8 children, and 6 grandchildren. He has volunteered for various youth groups, including the Boy Scouts of America in various positions including Scout Master, and for 5 years as a High School Junior Achievement Advisor. He is an avid outdoorsman and do-it-yourselfer. He loves virtually all water sports, including scuba diving. His children grew up with horses, and he (or more accurately his wife) currently owns four horses. For new challenges, John recently earned his private pilot certificate.

Education

John Burke graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law (magna cum laude). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota’s College of Business Administration.He received his basic training from Pauline Tesler (the "Godmother" of Collaborative Practice) in 2006, and has attended multi-day national education forums in San Diego, Toronto, and Minneapolis. John has also attended a two day training on the use of teams in Collaborative Practice, and has attended additional advance training from Pauline Tesler in both 2008 and 2009.

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