[1] He received an Associate of Arts degree from Cañada College in 1976.

[2] He received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 1987.

[1] He went into private practice in Anchorage, Alaska, with the law firm then known as Gilmore & Feldman from 1987 to 1989.

[1] He was nominated by George W. Bush on July 28, 2005, to the seat on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska vacated by James Keith Singleton Jr.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 21, 2005, and received commission on January 23, 2006.

[1] Burgess and his wife, Joanne Grace, reside in Anchorage and have four children.