By By Maggie Biunno
Behind the doors of the University’s School of Law stands a professor who not only uses her past experiences in the classroom, but in her spare time directs her knowledge to writing legal thrillers.
Following in the footsteps of her father, James Lee Burke, a distinguished crime writer, Professor Alafair Burke has written three mystery novels published by Henry Holt. The novels are written about a character named Samantha Kincaid who works as deputy district attorney. Although the character is fictional, she is based on a female living in Portland.
She began writing her first novel, Judgment Calls, in 1999 and published it just a few years later in 2002. The stories, Missing Justice and Close Case follow the journey of Samantha Kincaid. Burke is currently working on her forth novel, which will be slightly different, with the main character residing in New York instead of Portland.
“There were days where I wanted to be a writer like my dad, sometimes a librarian like my mom, or even a telephone operator,” Burke said. ”Like a lot of people, I did not make a decision until late in college.”
Burke was born in Florida, but lived most of her life in Kansas. When she was ready for college, she moved to Portland, Ore. and attended Reed College.
Burke was partially influenced by her brother who was already practicing a career in the law field. She graduated from Reed College with her bachelor’s degree in 1991. With much dedication, Burke continued on with her studies at Stanford University and successfully completed her juris doctor degree in 1994.
While still living in Portland, Burke worked in Seattle as a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. According to her biography on the University Web site, she then spent five years as a deputy district attorney, where she tried more than 30 criminal cases.
After these positions, Burke headed to the east coast to continue pursuing a career in law. She worked at a firm in Buffalo, N.Y., focusing mostly on commercial litigation.
It was after this job that Burke began interviewing with different schools around the country and the University was her number one choice.
“We have an incredibly productive faculty that values both teaching and scholarship,” Burke said.
Burke has more published recognition than just her mystery novels. She dedicates her legal scholarship to researching and writing articles on the appropriate uses of criminal punishment and policing.
Toi Frederick, a third-year student at the School of Law, works with Burke as an assistant aiding Burke in research for the articles she plans to write.
“She is a wonderful professor – effective, clear, understanding, helpful,” Frederick said. “She is really great all around.”
Frederick was impressed with Burke, whom she met through two of her classes, Criminal Procedure and Federal Criminal Law.
Frederick remembered times during the School of Law auctions for the Public Justice Foundation when Burke auctioned the opportunity to have the winner’s name in one of her novels.
“She would take the names and have to work them into her story somehow,” Frederick said.
Besides her writings, Burke spends her time doing other activities not related to law.
“I play golf, run, watch too much TV,” she said. “I also cook and read a lot.”
Along with Criminal Procedure and Federal Criminal Law, Burke also teaches the first year introductory Criminal Law course and Crime and Communities at the School of Law. Like many of the faculty members at the University, Burke brings not only her knowledge of the subject she is teaching, but also the experience she obtained while working in several professional positions.
“The students here are very diverse,” Burke said. “Many of them are the first kids in their families to go to college and that is neat. Also, 40 percent of the students are out-of-state, and it’s nice to see the geographic diversity as well.”
Along with Criminal Procedure and Federal Criminal Law, Professor Burke also teaches the first year introductory Criminal Law course and Crime and Communities at the School of Law.
“The law school gets a bad rep as being competitive,” Burke said. “But the students seem to create a nice atmosphere for the school.”
Frederick has enjoyed her interactions with the faculty at the School of Law as she works her way through her courses towards a graduate degree.
“Professor Burke is very accessible and willing to take the time to talk if you need her to,” Frederick explained.
This is Burke’s fifth year at the University and she is still happy with the decision she made for her teaching career.
“It has been a great job,” Burke said. “The faculty has been really nice.”
Being a professor at the University has merely been a stepping stone for Burke. From working on the United States Court of Appeals to publishing three novels, Burke is an inspiration to those who still are not sure of what to pursue after leaving college.
As a child, Burke did not know what she wanted to do with her life, but now she has accomplished many things in many different areas. (Image Courtesy Alafair Burke)