Hon. Thomas J. Burke, Q.C.
Attorney General
Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs

Thomas J. Burke (known by friends as T.J.) was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1972. In 1978, his family relocated to Fredericton, New Brunswick, where T.J. spent his childhood on Fredericton's Northside.

He graduated from Fredericton High School in 1990. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Military and served as a paratrooper and forward observer for an infantry company with the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was honourably discharged in 1995.

Upon his return to Fredericton, he successfully completed the Bachelor of Arts degree program at the University of New Brunswick. He continued his studies and received a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Dalhousie University.

A Liberal MLA, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the provincial general election held June 9, 2003, to represent the constituency of Fredericton North. As a member of the official opposition, he was the critic for interests relating to Aboriginal affairs and justice. He was a member of the Legislature’s Standing Committees on Private Bills and Law Amendments. He also served on the Select Committee on Public Automobile Insurance.

He was re-elected September 18, 2006, to serve as the first MLA for the new electoral district of Fredericton-Nashwaaksis.

He lives in Fredericton North where he formerly practiced law as a partner with Gaffney & Burke. He has served as negotiator and legal counsel to assist several First Nation clients with corporate and commercial matters, including the acquisition of major economic initiatives and Band government levels. He has argued at every level of Court in Canada, including lead Counsel in the matter of Her Majesty the Queen v. Darrell Gray at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2006.

He is married to Tanya (nee Atkinson) of Miramichi, and they have three daughters: Ashley, Molly and Cindy.