Within a month after graduating with a double major in accounting and finance from a small, relatively unknown college in a small, relatively unknown town, I moved to Dallas, Texas and secured an entry-level position in the tax department of what was then known as a "Big Eight" accounting firm (then Touche Ross, now Deloitte & Touche). At the time, almost all of the people I worked with and for had their Masters in Tax or a law degree. All were CPAs. I was told that in order to advance, I would have to pass the CPA exam and either get a Masters in Tax or attend law school. I passed the CPA exam and worked for Touche Ross for about 3 years. I took some graduate level courses during this time at the University of North Texas, but hadn't committed to a Masters in Tax program.
Frustrated that others with advanced degrees were being promoted ahead of me, I accepted a job offer to be the Federal Tax Manager for Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, one of the first cellular phone companies. I also decided that I would take the LSAT and apply to law school.
After 4 1/2 years of professional work experience, I started law school. I loved law school! I made the Law Review and became its Managing Editor in my third year. I was also a student member of a new organization: the Association for Women Attorneys.
I clerked at Hanover, Walsh, Jalenak & Blair the summer before I graduated and was offered an associate's position. At Hanover Walsh I learned everything from preparing pleadings to arguing motions to attending union meetings. I handled divorce matters, prepared wills and trusts, and administered probate estates. In addition to continuing on with the Association for Women Attorneys, I became an associate member of the first class of the Leo S. Bearman Inn of Court.
For 20 years I have been a solo practitioner in Shelby County, Tennessee. I am also a Rule 31 Listed Family and Civil Mediator.
Practice areas
Trusts (revocable and irrevocable), Wills, Living Wills, General Durable Powers of Attorney; Health Care Powers of Attorney; Advance Directives
29 years
Estate Administration (probate of wills, intestate succession); Name Changes; Guardianships/Conservatorships
29 years
Contested and uncontested divorces/separations
29 years
Tax (return preparation, IRS representation)
33 years
Step-parent adoption; related party adoptions; adult adoptions; readoptions; private agency adoptions
29 years
Rule 31 Listed Civil and Family Mediator
29 years
Tax return preparation; representation of clients under audit; representation of client in U.S. Tax Court
37 years
Languages spoken
German, English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
TN | Active | 1992 | 01/18/2021 |
Legal answers | 38 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
10 Best Attorneys in Tennessee | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2018 |
10 Best Attorneys in Tennessee | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2017 |
American Jurisprudence Award-Trial Advocacy | Lawyers Co-operative Publishing | 1998 |
American Jurisprudence Award-Legal Method II | Lawyers Co-Operative Publishing Company | 1990 |
American Jurisprudence Award-Property 1 | Lawyers Co-Operative Publishing Company | 1989 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | The Burdette Law Firm | 1998 - Present |
Attorney | Hanover, Walsh, Jalenak & Blair | 1992 - 1998 |
Federal Tax Manager | Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems | 1988 - 1989 |
Staff | Touche Ross | 1985 - 1988 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
The Max Burdette Fibrolamellar Cancer Research Foundation | President | 2016 - Present |
Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators | Member | 2010 - Present |
United States Tax Court | N/A | 2009 - Present |
Rule 31 Listed Family and Civil Mediator | N/A | 2005 - Present |
Memphis Bar Association | N/A | 1992 - Present |
Tennessee Bar Association | N/A | 1992 - Present |
---|---|---|
U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee | N/A | 1992 - Present |
Tennessee Supreme Court | N/A | 1992 - Present |
Association for Women Attorneys | Member | 1990 - Present |
Germantown Education Commission | Member | 2002 - 2003 |
Germantown Chamber of Commerce | Member | 1998 - 2000 |
Network of Memphis | Member | 1997 - 1999 |
AAA-CPA: American Academy of Attorney-CPAs | Member | 1996 - 1999 |
American Inns of Court | N/A | 1994 - 1995 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Burdette Law Firm website | 82 New Laws in Tennessee | 2016 |
The Burdette Law Firm website | Wills vs. Trusts | 2016 |
The Active Times | Various | 1995 |
22 MEM. ST. U.L. REV. 119 | Note, Fetal Protection-An Overview of Recent State and Legislative Response to Crack Cocaine Abuse by Pregnant Women | 1991 |
20 MEM. St. U.L. REV. 655 | Case Comment, Constitutional Law, Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health: The Supreme Court Reposes the Right-to-Die Issue with the Individual States | 1990 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law | JD | 1992 |
Austin Peay State Universsity | BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration | 1985 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Estate Planning Oddities and Challenges | Estate Planning for Single Parents | 2016 |
Planning for Long Term Care | Advance Care Directives | 2015 |
Successful Wealth Transfer Strategies | Initial Steps in Transfer of Wealth | 2007 |
Home & Garden Family Festival | Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts | 2000 |
Legalese Television Show | Estate Planning & Probate | 2000 |
"A Question of Law" Television Program | Probate | 1997 |
---|---|---|
Fire Services Retirement Planning Seminar | Wills and Estate Planning | 1993 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
In re: Conservatorship of Leah Angelique Thomas | Trial court judgment reversed and case was remanded |
Oselukwue vs. Oselukwue | After a three day trial, Mother was awarded custody of children. |
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