Burke joins Lake County bench
As Daniel W. Burke Jr. recited his oath to become the latest Lake County Superior Court Judge late Wednesday afternoon, he wasn't alone.
Surrounded by his family – wife Catherine held the Bible his maternal great-grandmother gave him when he was young — two small voices joined in the moment, as oldest son Jonathan, 11, and daughter Lilian, 9, repeated the oath as well as held their dad's new judicial robe that was taller than they are. Youngest son Benjamin, 7, wasn't quite as interested, however, and marched around his family anticipating dinner.
Burke, 38, a former Lake County Deputy Prosecutor who up until Wednesday served as a Court Referee in Circuit Court Judge Marissa McDermott's court, was appointed by Governor Mike Braun as the newest Superior Court Judge earlier in May. He replaces Judge Stephen Scheele, who former Governor Eric Holcomb tapped for the State Appellate Court in December.
'Daniel Burke is an exceptional lawyer who will bring his years of experience in the courtroom to his new role on the Lake County Superior Court,' Braun said in a release. 'He is hard working, dedicated to the rule of law and will do Lake County proud.'
The oldest of six kids who grew up in Crown Point, Burke studied Classics at DePauw University in Greencastle before heading to Valparaiso Law School in 2010, he said. He started his career at Lucas, Holcomb and Medrea before heading the Lake County Prosecutor's office in 2015.
'Lake County is a really special place,' Burke said. 'My dad worked as a welder, and I remember delivering the Chicago Tribune with my mom, especially on Sundays.
'I've been a part of this community my whole life, so this (judgeship) is extraordinarily special. I've learned from some of the best — Marissa, and then Bernie (Carter, Lake County Prosecutor), and I'll continue to (serve as judge) as long as you'll have me.'
McDermott chose Burke to join her office in 2022 as a circuit court referee, where he presided over civil cases. She was thrilled to swear in her friend.
'I couldn't be prouder of Dan,' McDermott said. 'He had a wonderful reputation that preceded him, and I was impressed at how intellectually robust he is. He has a wonderful demeanor for the bench — always patient, always kind — and he goes that extra step to make sure that unrepresented litigants feel comfortable in the courtroom.
'And when it comes down to it, he's got a great heart, and I think that's really, really important for a judicial officer.'
Burke said his prosecutorial experience has been immensely helpful in his referee role, and it'll serve him well in his new role.
'Never let your bad day be the parties' bad day,' Burke said. 'They're here for their case. It's important. They're probably a little nervous, maybe a little scared. No matter what happens outside of this room, once you put on the robe, it has to all go out the window and you start fresh.'
Burke will preside over some of the county's bigger cases, such as the East Chicago lead case, he said.
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