Burke received national attention on December 15, 2005, when the legislature unanimously passed his tireless work and dedication on creating a motion declaring 2006 the "Year of the War Bride".
[4] On September 28, 2010, Burke was defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Troy Lifford and lost his seat in the Legislature.
Since his departure from politics, Burke has become one of New Brunswick's prominent criminal law defence lawyers and out of court room negotiators.
He is regarded by many of his peers as a tireless advocate for the wrongfully accused and relentless defence lawyer in the court room.
Burke was appointed and served a term as Canada's Chief Federal Negotiator on an important legal file.