I am a lifelong Central Pennsylvania resident. I graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in 1997 and went on to graduate from Kutztown University in 2001. After graduation, I was employed full-time by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue while attending the night division student program at Widener University School of Law. After graduating from law school, I remained employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue until accepting a position at the Dauphin County Public Defender’s Office.
The Public Defender’s office hired me under a MacArthur Foundation grant which was created in the wake of the Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” scandal and sought to improve juvenile representation in the state of Pennsylvania. As an attorney committed to ensuring that all children receive exemplary representation in the criminal-justice system, I participated in drafting and editing a juvenile defense manual that is used by attorneys throughout the state of Pennsylvania. For over five years, I served as a board member of the Juvenile Defenders Association of Pennsylvania. I have also lectured at numerous presentations on the effective representation of juveniles in the state of Pennsylvania.
While at the Dauphin County Public Defender’s Office, I also represented hundreds of adult clients in various stages of the criminal process. I have represented clients at both the magisterial district judge and court of common pleas levels. In this capacity, I gained invaluable trial experience that ranged from representing clients in less complex misdemeanor trials to serious felony trials.
After leaving the Dauphin County Public Defender's Office, I joined the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC). While serving in the AOPC's Judicial Education Department, I provided continuing legal education to trial judges across the Commonwealth regarding new and emerging areas of the law. In addition, I was a contributing writer for one benchbook and oversaw the creation of another benchbook, which state trial judges reference to assist in the disposition of cases.
Languages spoken
English
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA | Active | 2008 | 05/08/2021 |
| Legal answers | 16 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | The Law Office of Natalie Burston | 2016 - Present |
| Judicial Education Specialist | Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts/Pennsylvania Supreme Court | 2015 - 2016 |
| Attorney | Dauphin County Public Defender's Office | 2009 - 2015 |
| Tax Account Specialist | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | 2003 - 2009 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dauphin County Bar Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
| Pennsylvania Bar Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
| Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2016 - Present |
| Juvenile Defender Association of Pennsylvania | Board Member (Secretary) | 2011 - 2016 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) | Honey!, We Lost the Kids | 2016 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg PA | JD - Juris Doctor | 2005 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2001 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of a Criminal Law Practice | Juvenile Representation in Pennsylvania | 2010 |
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Samantha McCarthy, Family Attorney on Oct 18, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Natalie Maureen -Ryan Burston is an excellent attorney. She is passionate about representing her clients and very skilled. I worked along side her in a clinical seminar and have the utmost trust she will get the job done for you
James Lee, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 2, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. She fights for her clients with passion and is committed to deepening her advocacy skills, such as through her recent training at the Trial Lawyer's College.
Maureen Williams, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Any attorney who attends Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College is a devoted, caring attorney. Lawyers learn to be outstanding attorneys at this college, a place I frequently find Ms. Burston. She impressed me so much because of her knowledge of the law, her experience, her devotion to her clients, her heart. She really cares for her clients. If she agrees to take your case, consider yourself in good hands.
Ken Gallon, Criminal defense Attorney on May 30, 2017
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.Natalie and I meet at the Jerry Spence Trial Lawyers College for Direct Examination Seminar and we are both are attending the Jerry Spence Defense of the Damned in June of this year. While at the Seminar for Direct Examination she displayed her abilities to win cases.
James Nasatka, Criminal defense Attorney on May 4, 2017
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Attorney Burston was my supervisor when I was an intern at the Dauphin County Public Defender's Office. I worked with her in various court appearances. She is an outstanding and hard-working attorney that will give her clients all of her attention and work her hardest to achieve the best possible outcome for them. Definitely an attorney you'll be glad to have in your corner if you are facing criminal charges.
Christopher Flohr, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 4, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I was fortunate enough to have Natalie help me with preparation in one of my serious felony criminal cases. Natalie was truly wonderful and has great insight and a hard work ethic. She also possesses a sensitivity and compassion that is often in short supply in the legal community.
Joshua Schiffer, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 9, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Just had the GREAT pleasure of spending a long weekend working on cases with Natalie at an exclusive seminar, and she is AMAZING. Having done this for so long, my Radar for "real deal" lawyers is spot on, and Natalie has everything we want for our clients. Caring matters, because it WORKS.
Fawn Kehler, Child abuse Attorney on Dec 20, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Tara Trees, Family Attorney on Dec 14, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
Natalie is a great attorney and an even better person. I've known Natalie for over 10 years, and she is of the highest professional and personal integrity. I would not hesitate to hire Natalie as my personal attorney. She is extremely knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate.
Jason Carpenter, Family Attorney on Dec 13, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I worked with Natalie on a complex family law case recently and found her assistance invaluable. I enjoy collaborating with her and can easily see why clients find her an excellent attorney.
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