E. James Burke at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- Wyoming Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Wyoming · State
- Judicial service
- Former
E. James Burke
Former Judge · Wyoming Supreme Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Wyoming Supreme Court, 2005-present
- Retired on October 8, 2018, leaving a legacy of judicial leadership, public legal education, and efforts to advance equal justice in Wyoming
- Justice E. James Burke Retiring October 8, 2018 - Wyoming Judicial Branch Justice Burke’s career as a jurist includes 24 years as an attorney in private practice, three years as a district court judge in Cheyenne, and nearly 14 years as a Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court—four of which he served as Chief Justice
- Chief Justice – Elected by fellow justices in 2014, serving until his retirement in 2018
- Retired justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court, serving from 2005 until his retirement in 2018, and later as Chief Justice — 2014–2018
- Wyoming Supreme Court Justice – Appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal in January 2005, serving until October 8, 2018
- Initiating the “You Be the Judge” program to improve public understanding of law
- Chairing the Access to Justice Commission, which created the Wyoming Center for Legal Aid (now Equal Justice Wyoming)
- In summary: E. James Burke was a distinguished Wyoming jurist whose 13‐year tenure on the state’s highest court and his leadership in judicial education and access to justice programs left a lasting impact on Wyoming’s legal system
Education
- University of Wyoming — J.D. (1977)
- St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia, PA — B.S. (1971)
- Saint Josephs College — B.A.
- University of Wyoming College of Law
- University of St. Joseph's College
- Saint Joseph’s University — B.S.
Additional information
- Practitioner, 2004-2004
- Private practice, Cheyenne, until 2001
- Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB until 1974
- Salesianum School, 1967
- Born June 26, 1949
- Date of birth: 1949
- During his tenure, Burke delivered annual State of the Judiciary addresses, addressed judicial administration and funding issues, and authored over 400 published opinions, including notable cases such as Schreibvogel v
- Burke was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and grew up in a stable, middle‐class household before his father’s sudden death at age eight, which led his mother to work as a secretary at a law firm, sparking his interest in law
- Founded and led the People’s Law School, a public education program about the legal system
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cameras And Communication Devices
Courtwide
Wyoming Supreme Court Rule 5 restricts recording and wireless device use during its proceedings. Counsel may use muted internet-capable laptops at counsel table unless otherwise ordered; other wireless devices require express permission.
Use of Cameras: Communication Devices (Rule 5. of Rules of Sup. Court).Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 29, 2026
View Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court ↗Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 29, 2026
View Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court ↗Justice E. James Burke Retiring October 8, 2018 - Wyoming Judicial Branch
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Justice E. James Burke Retiring October 8, 2018 - Wyoming Judicial Branch ↗Justice E. James Burke to be next Chief Justice - Wyoming Judicial Branch
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Justice E. James Burke to be next Chief Justice - Wyoming Judicial Branch ↗Wikidata: E. James Burke
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Wikidata: E. James Burke ↗Rules of the Supreme Court of Wyoming, Rule 5
Identity source · PDF · Source checked October 3, 2026
View Rules of the Supreme Court of Wyoming, Rule 5 ↗