Joe Burke on becoming Ann Arbor's newest judge: 'This is like being traded to the Yankees'

Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Burke, Washtenaw County's chief assistant prosecutor, to Ann Arbor's 15th District Court last week. Chief Judge Elizabeth Hines introduced Burke to the Ann Arbor City Council Tuesday night.

"I know Joe, and as those of you who know him also know, he is already very honorable, but he will officially gain that title at his investiture on March 16," Hines said.

"It's just a wonderful opportunity for me," Burke told council members. "I'm very humbled and honored to be able to serve the city that I love and where my wife and I have lived in our starter home in the 5th Ward for the last 23 years."

During the recent interview process, when asked why he wanted to be a judge, Burked said he told his interviewers he didn't want to be just any judge.

"I want to be a 15th District Court judge," he said. "Because Libby Hines, Julie Creal and Chris Easthope have put together a wonderful court with innovative programs. The street outreach program, the sobriety court, the designated domestic violence docket. I mean, these are things that other courts just aren't doing and it's made it so that it's a nationally recognized court."

Snyder chose Burke from a large pool of candidates to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Creal, who stepped down as chief judge for health reasons.

Burke began his legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Washtenaw County in 1982. He then went into private practice in 1986 as a partner at Burke & Rennell PC.

In 1993, he returned to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office as the chief assistant prosecuting attorney, where he has remained since.

A graduate of Howell High School, he earned a bachelor's degree at Michigan State University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

He is married to Marilyn Eisenbraun.