Denise Burke 

Denise M. Burke, Esq.

Vice President of Legal Affairs

 

Denise Burke is Vice President of Legal Affairs for Americans United for Life, the first national pro-life organization, whose legal strategists have been involved in every pro-life case before the United States Supreme Court since Roe v. Wade.

 

Burke directs all aspects of AUL’s extensive legal program and serves as Editor-in-Chief of AUL’s seminal publication, Defending Life, an annual compendium of legal and policy analyses on critical and emerging life issues.

 

A seasoned litigator and experienced legal and policy analyst, Burke routinely advises legislators and national and state policy groups, testifies before legislative committees on the constitutionality of pro-life legislation, and advises state Attorneys General on the defense of pro-law laws.  She also serves as a frequent media spokesperson and has been published in a variety of outlets including National Review Online, Human Events, and the American Feminist and was a contributor to The Cost of Choice:  Women Evaluate the Impact of Abortion published by Encounter Books.

 

Burke began her legal career as a judge advocate with the United States Air Force where she served both on active duty and in the reserve.  Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, Burke served in a variety of high-profile positions including as an instructor at the Air Force Judge Advocate General School and on the editorial board of the Air Force Law Review.

 

Burke voluntarily returned to active duty with Air Force in the immediate wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Her military decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

 

A member of the State Bar of Texas, she is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

 

Burke earned her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management from the University of Maryland.  She lives with her family in San Antonio, Texas.