Thomas M. Burke Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury Attorney
Thomas Burke is one of Missouri’s most respected legal professionals, bringing 45 years of experience and an unmatched record of leadership to his work representing injured workers and personal injury victims. As former President of the Missouri Bar and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Tom has shaped the very profession he practices. He was elected by his peers to serve on the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission—the body responsible for nominating judges to Missouri’s Appellate and Supreme Courts. His AV Preeminent rating, sustained since 1986, reflects nearly four decades of excellence recognized by judges and colleagues alike.
“After 45 years of practice and leadership in Missouri’s legal community, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring injured workers and personal injury victims receive the justice they deserve.”
Thomas M. Burke
Workers' Compensation & Personal Injury Attorney
A Legacy of Leadership
Tom Burke’s career has been defined by leadership—both in the courtroom fighting for clients and in the institutions that govern Missouri’s legal profession. Few attorneys can claim to have shaped the profession as directly as Tom has.
6
Years on Judicial Commission
Nominating appellate judges
2
Bar Presidencies
Missouri Bar & BAMSL
45+
Years of Experience
Practicing law since 1981
40
Years AV Preeminent
Highest Martindale-Hubbell rating since 2004
Tom’s Practice Areas
Tom has successfully handled a wide range of civil cases throughout his 45-year career, including workers’ compensation, personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice, and premises liability. He is also well-versed in handling appeals.
Product Liability
When defective products cause injuries, manufacturers must be held accountable. Tom has handled products liability cases throughout his career, fighting for consumers harmed by dangerous products put into the marketplace.
Car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and other serious injuries require an experienced advocate. Tom’s 45 years of trial experience and reputation throughout Missouri’s legal community make him a formidable opponent for insurance companies and defendants.
When you’re injured on the job, you deserve an attorney who understands Missouri’s workers’ compensation system inside and out. Tom has served on the Missouri Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Committee and has decades of experience fighting for injured workers to receive the benefits they’re entitled to.
When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, patients suffer the consequences. Tom has the experience and credibility to take on hospitals, doctors, and their insurance companies to secure justice for victims of medical negligence.
Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. When they fail and someone is injured, Tom holds them accountable—whether it’s a slip and fall, inadequate security, or dangerous conditions.
Tom is well-versed in handling appeals, bringing his deep knowledge of Missouri law and his relationships throughout the legal community to appellate advocacy. His experience on the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission gives him unique insight into how appellate courts function.
Whether you’ve been injured at work or harmed by someone else’s negligence, Thomas Burke doesn’t just fight for compensation—he fights to ensure what happened to you never happens to another family. With 45 years of experience and the respect of Missouri’s entire legal community, Tom brings unmatched credibility and determination to every case.
Leadership & Recognition
Tom Burke has held the most prestigious leadership positions in Missouri’s legal community and has been recognized with the profession’s highest honors.
President, Missouri Bar (2008-2009)
Tom served as President of the Missouri Bar—the professional organization representing all attorneys licensed in Missouri. This is the highest elected position in Missouri’s legal profession, demonstrating the extraordinary respect his peers have for his leadership and integrity.
Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission
Tom was elected by the lawyers of the Eastern District of Missouri to serve a 6-year term on the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission. This commission is responsible for nominating judges to Missouri’s Appellate Courts and Supreme Court—placing Tom at the center of Missouri’s judicial selection process.
President, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Before leading the statewide bar, Tom served as President of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (1996-1997)—the leading professional organization for attorneys in the St. Louis region. His successive presidencies of both organizations reflect his sustained commitment to the profession.
Distinguished Awards
Award of Merit – Missouri Bar (2009)
Distinguished Lawyer Award – BAMSL (2007)
Best Lawyers in America
Who’s Who in American Law
Super Lawyers
AV Preeminent – Martindale-Hubbell (Since 1986)
Education & Background
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Arts, Government – 1978
Tom earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, one of America’s most prestigious universities. His study of government laid the foundation for a career dedicated to justice and public service.
Saint Louis University School of Law
Juris Doctor – 1981
Tom earned his law degree from SLU Law and was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1981, beginning what would become one of the most distinguished legal careers in Missouri history.
Leadership Begins
AV Rating Since 1986
Just five years into his career, Tom earned the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell—the highest peer review rating available. He has maintained this rating for nearly 40 years, reflecting sustained excellence recognized by judges and fellow attorneys.
BAMSL President
President, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (1996-1997)
Tom was elected President of BAMSL, the leading professional organization for attorneys in the St. Louis region. This marked his emergence as a leader in Missouri’s legal community.
President, Missouri Bar (2008-2009)
President, Missouri Bar (2008-2009)
Tom was elected to the highest position in Missouri’s legal profession—President of the Missouri Bar, representing all attorneys licensed in the state. That same year, he received the Missouri Bar’s Award of Merit.
Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission
Commissioner (2012-2017)
Tom was elected by the lawyers of the Eastern District of Missouri to serve a 6-year term on the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission—the body responsible for nominating judges to Missouri’s Appellate Courts and Supreme Court.
OnderLaw
Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury Attorney
Tom joined OnderLaw as part of the firm’s affiliation with Hullverson Law Firm, a prestigious St. Louis firm with more than 100 years of experience. He brings his exceptional track record, deep involvement in legal associations, and the respect of Missouri’s entire legal community to his work representing injured clients.
Education & Background
Professional Associations & Committee Work
Leadership Positions:
President, Missouri Bar (2008-2009)
President, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (1996-1997)
Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission (2012-2017) – Elected by lawyers of the Eastern District of Missouri
Missouri Bar Committees:
Civil Practice and Procedure Committee
Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee
Tort Law Committee
Workers’ Compensation Committee
Bar Admissions
State Courts:
Missouri – 1981
Teaching & Speaking
Tom has been a sought-after presenter and contributor at continuing legal education (CLE) programs and civic education initiatives throughout his career. His dedication to staying current with legal developments and sharing his knowledge has made him a respected figure in the legal profession.
OnderLaw Awards & Recognition
Recognized as Top 1-2% of Attorneys Nationwide
When Your Case Becomes Our Cause
Thomas Burke and the OnderLaw team don’t just fight for compensation—we fight to ensure what happened to you never happens to another family. If you’ve been injured at work or harmed by negligence, let’s discuss how your case could create lasting change.
