Wake Forest University School of Law

• J.D., 1980

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• M.A. Public Administration, 1974
• B.A. Political Science and Sociology, 1970

Membership and Admissions

• United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
• North Carolina State Bar, Member, 1980
• North Carolina Bar Association, Member, 1980
• Family Law Section, Member, 1980
• Board of Governors – Family Law Chair, 1991-1992
• Uniform Laws Commission Family Law Arbitration Act Drafting Committee, Observer-Member, 2013 – present
• Wake County Bar Association, Member, 1999 – present
• 10th Judicial District Bar, Member, 1999 – present
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow, 1993
• North Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, member, 1993
• American College of Family Trial Lawyers, Diplomate, 2008
• Forsyth County Bar Association, Member, 1980-1999
• Twenty-First Judicial District Bar Member, 1980

• Former Assistant District Attorney, 21st Judicial District in Winston-Salem, NC, 1981-1984
• Former District Court Judge, 21st Judicial District in Winston-Salem, NC, 1984-1987
• Kilpatrick Stockton, 1987-1999 in Winston-Salem, NC
• Wake Forest University School of Law, adjunct professor, 1982-1984
• High Point University, adjunct professor, 1986-1987 and 1994-1999

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer
• North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, 1991
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow, 1993 – present
• AAML Certified Arbitrator, 1999- present
• American College of Family Trial Lawyers, Diplomate, 2008 – present
• North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section Distinguished Service Award, 1990
• North Carolina Bar Association Citizen Lawyer Award, 2007
• North Carolina Super Lawyers®, Family Law, 2006 – 2025
• Top 100: North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006–2008)
• Business North Carolina Magazine Legal Elite Family Law Section, 2012, 2013, 2018
• Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law Section, 1995 – 2025
• Raleigh Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” 2009

Presentations and Publications

View a full list of Mr. Burleson’s professional presentations, manuscripts, and articles here.

• “Family Law Arbitration”, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – Kentucky Chapter and Louisville Bar Association 20th Annual Family Law Seminar, April 25-26, 2019.
• Matrimonial Arbitration Handbook, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Co-Editor, 2018 Edition.
• “There’s Money on the Table: Issues in High-End Family Law Cases- High Alimony and Child Support Awards,” Family Law Intensive Seminar, North Carolina Bar Foundation, October 29, 2015, February 4, 2016
• “Family Law Arbitration,” Indiana State Bar Association Annual Meeting, French Lick, Indiana, October 8, 2015.
• Course Planner, It’s a Small World After All, 2012 Family Law Section Annual Meeting, North Carolina Bar Foundation, May 4-5, 2012.
• “Arbitration,” Deal or No Deal? Attacking/Enforcing Agreements, Orders and Awards, North Carolina Bar Foundation, September 25, 2009
• “Family Law Arbitration: Third-Party ADR,” Campbell Law Symposium, Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Raleigh, North Carolina, February 22, 2008.

• “Family Law Arbitration,” Family Law Issues, Wake County Bar Association, Raleigh, North Carolina, May 2, 2007.

Community Involvement

• Citizens Committee for an Adequate I-40 Member, 1982
• Winston-Salem Human Relations Committee Member, 1982-1983
• Winston-Salem Fair Housing Committee Member, 1982-1983
• American National Red Cross: Volunteer, 1970-1974
• Citizen’s Committee for an Adequate I-40, 1983
• Forsyth Court Volunteers, Inc.: Board of Directors
• Knollwood Baptist Church: Board of Directors, Moderator, Trustee, Choir, Refugee Resettlement Committee, Constitution Committee Chair, Sunday School Teacher, Senior Pastor Selection Committee, Personnel Committee Chair, Usher, 1980-1998
• Law Explorer Post 21: Post Advisor, 1982
• Lawyers Finance Committee Co-Chair for Re-Election of Judge Biggs to District Court Bench in Forsyth County
• Forsyth County Juvenile Justice Council: Executive Committee, Review and Comment Committee Chair
• Forsyth County Co-Chair of Committee to Re-elect K. Edward Greene to the North Carolina Court of Appeals
• Mental Health Association of Forsyth County: Board of Directors, President, 1984
• Neighborhood Justice Center: Board of Directors, 1983
• North Carolina State Special Olympics: Olympic Village Director, 1976
• North Carolina Statewide Co-Chair of Committee to Elect Clarence P. Horton, Jr. to the North Carolina Court of Appeals
• SAFEchild – Board of Directors, Personnel Committee Chair and Corporate Committee Co-Chair, 2007
• 610 Hillsborough Street Condominium Homeowners Association, Inc., Board of Directors, President, 2000
• Steering Committee to Elect Judge William B. Reingold to North Carolina Superior Court
• Steering Committee to Re-elect District Court Judge William B. Reingold
• Steering Committee to Re-elect District Court Judge Margaret Sharpe
• Steering Committee to Re-elect Judge Linda McGee to North Carolina Court of Appeals
• Steering Committee to Re-elect District Court Judge Roland B. Hayes
• StepUp Ministry: Life Skills Co-Partner, 2011-2012
• Theater in the Park: Board of Directors- 1974
• United Way Campaign Representative, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, 1994
• Wake Forest University School of Law: Trial Court Judge, Judge in Regional Client Interview Competition
• Winston-Salem Fair Housing Committee, 1983
• Winston-Salem Human Relations Commission, 1983
• Young Men’s Christian Association: Central Branch, Board of Directors, Youth Services Committee Chair and Executive Committee Member; Metropolitan YMCA of Greater Winston-Salem, Board of Director, 1991