Brian Burke (Wisconsin politician)


Brian Burke is a state public defender in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously he was a state legislator.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Burke graduated from Washington High School in 1975 and Marquette University in 1978. He received his law degree in 1981 from Georgetown University.
In 1984, he was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council. From 1988 until 2003, Burke served in the Wisconsin State Senate.
In the summer of 2002, Burke and other legislative leaders were ensnared in a caucus scandal. He was initially charged with 18 felony counts, including misconduct in public office and altering documents. He pleaded guilty to one felony and one misdemeanor, and was sentenced to six months in jail with two years of probation.
Burke now works in the Milwaukee office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender as an assistant state public defender.