My name is Daniel Burns and I am a Republican Candidate for the non-partisan office of Circuit Court Judge, Division 2. I am a conservative, a Christian, and most, importantly a dedicated, loving husband to my wife Linsey, and to my two daughters, Madeline and Corrine.
I attended West Virginia University College of Business and Economics graduating summa cum laude in 2008. I attended the West Virginia University College of Law, graduating in 2011. After a brief stop in Parkersburg, I was offered a job with the law firm of Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC here in Beckley, West Virginia. Knowing how great a community Beckley and Raleigh County are, I accepted the offer and, with a one month old daughter, moved my family to the Beckley area. This decision has proven to be one the best decisions I have made in my adult life.
For the past twelve years, I have worked at the law firm of Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC in Beckley. Starting initially as an associate, I was promoted to Member (partner) in December 2018. Over the past twelve years, I have maintained a diverse practice of law defending individuals, businesses, members of our law enforcement community, and branches of the local, county, and state government across the state. My practice of law has allowed me to appear in countless Magistrate Courts, nearly every Circuit Court, both Appellate Courts, and both Federal District Courts here in West Virginia. The types of cases I have handled in my career are wide ranging and mirror the types of cases our Circuit Court judges see day in and day out. I have defended and prosecuted civil matters ranging from personal injury to medical malpractice to defending our men and women in law enforcement in matters pertaining to Civil Rights. I also have extensive experience in criminal matters as well as child abuse and neglect matters.
Outside the courtroom, I have dedicated my time to raising my family, serving our community and, most importantly, protecting our children. As to my family, I have tried to set an example for my children in all that I do. I currently volunteer my time to supporting the schools my children attend, as a Read Aloud volunteer, and a youth sports coach. I have been involved with the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce in some capacity since 2017. I was part of the inaugural class of Leadership Beckley and have served on countless committees as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In 2021, I was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chamber, a position I currently hold. Since March 2020, I have served a member of the West Virginia State Bar’s Unlawful Practice of Law Committee. This Committee’s sole purposed is to protect the residents of State from those who attempt to unlawfully practice law, often to the detriment of citizens across the State. In October 2021, I was appointed by Governor Jim Justice to the West Virginia Real Estate Appraisal Licensing and Certification board, and remain an active member of the same. This Board, in addition to ensuring that real estate appraisers are qualified for licensure, is tasked with taking action when appraisers violate the laws of this State.
Protecting the children of our community is something that I have, and intend to remain passionate about. In addition to my volunteer work in our schools, I am a past Board Member of Just for Kids, a child advocacy center in our area. Since my legal career began, I have assisted with and provided trainings to members of our law enforcement communities, our school system, daycares, and other organizations that serve our area. Most recently, I provided trainings to Raleigh County teachers and service personnel on various policies and laws ranging from responsible social media use to mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and/or neglect.
What motivated you to run for Circuit Judge what made you seek reelection?
Over the past twelve years practicing in law, I have benefited from the guidance and experiences I have had practicing before some truly amazing judge. Raleigh County has, in my opinion, benefited from five (5) tremendous judges in my time here: Justice John Hutchison; Judge Kirkpatrick; Judge Burnside; Judge Dimlich; and, Judge Poling. These judge has set the bar high for how us, as attorneys, should approach our practices of law, our roles in the community, and how we can shape our community.
When Judge Kirkpatrick announced his retirement last fall, I immediately knew that I was going to run for his office. Our county needs to maintain the same level of high quality judges that we have grown accustomed to in Raleigh County. We need someone who can step up and step into the roll who was the necessary passion and qualities that have made the current and past judges such as example for us today. We need someone who is impartial, unbiased, fair, honest, and able to show respect to all those who appear before the bench. Just as importantly, we need someone who has the experience necessary to do the job and the passion to ensure that the docket is managed the way the West Virgina Supreme Court expects and our community deserves.
Finally, given the recent addition of the Family Treatment Court, we need a judge who is aware of, has litigated, and who is willing to continue the push to aid our community in treating the substance abuse pandemic. I have worked, for the majority of my career, on child abuse and neglect cases. These cases, as well as others, try to tackle drug addiction head on. We need someone who is familiar with the resources available in our community, contacts with the providers, and a good relationship with our community partners. I have, for the past twelve years, works to nurture these relationships, have a demonstrated history of making these relationships work for the members of our community, and am willing to ensure that these relationships continue to thrive.
What are some issues facing the court system right now that you would like to see addressed? How would you attempt resolving those issues?
One of the biggest issues that impacts our court system, as well as our community as a whole, is the drug abuse epidemic. As with any community-wide pandemic, I believe that the same needs to be treated from multiple directions to ensure that the problem is eradicated. First, as to drug addiction itself, I am encouraged by the progress that the new Family Treatment Court has made as well as the strides that the Raleigh County Day Report Center has made in recent years in combating the underling issue. If elected, I plan to take the initiative to ensure that program like the Family Treatment Court, the Adult Drug Court, and the Veterans’ Court are expanded and continue to improve. These programs treat not just the addiction, but also treat the whole person so that they can overcome this disease.
Crime and the drug epidemic go hand in hand. We need to take a tough stance on crime and ensure that proper sentencing are give, within the bound of law, on all drug-related crimes. For first time offenders, a message needs to be sent to them to ensure they do not repeat offend. To the repeat offenders, lawful sentences need to be given to ensure that they are no longer in our communities selling or distributing drugs. While on the campaign trail, I have gotten several questions as to my thoughts on things like home confinement, probation, etc. I am committed to taking each case that
comes before me on a case-by-case basis. If the law allows and there are significant, demonstrated reasons to allow for alternative sentencing, proposed consideration for the same will be given. Otherwise, I intend to apply the criminal statutes in sentencing to ensure that justice to is served for all involved.
What makes you stand out from the rest of the candidates, what do you bring to the table that they don’t?
Over the past twelve years, I have maintained a diverse practice of law defending individuals, businesses, members of our law enforcement community, and branches of the local, county, and state government across the state. My practice of law has allowed me to appear in countless Magistrate Courts, nearly every Circuit Court, both Appellate Courts, and both Federal District Courts here in West Virginia. The types of cases I have handled in my career are wide ranging and mirror the types of cases our Circuit Court judges see day in and day out. This experience has afforded me two endorsements that no other candidate in this race has, and one that only one other candidate was able to get.
While some may view my age as a detriment, it is important to remind the voters that I am not much younger than the two retiring judges were when they took the bench. This means I have the experience necessary to fulfill the office of Circuit Court Judge. More importantly, I am at a point in my career where my passion for the law drives my to strive each day to improve. I am not concerned with the putting in the early morning or late nights to ensure that justice is served to all involved.
Is there anything else voters should know about you and your campaign?
The May 2014 Primary Election is critically important, not just for our nation, but for our state, our county and our city. The votes cast in May will ultimately impact how we progress over the next several years, in the case of Circuit Court judge, the type of judiciary we will have over next eight yeas. I want each voter to remember that the signs on the road, the billboards, the TV ads, the radio ads, etc. do not vote in May. It is you, the citizens of Raleigh County, who will have the only vote on who the next judge will be. Put in the time and do your research. Once you do, I am asking for your vote to become the next judge in Division 2. Remember, No. 2 on the ballot, Daniel J. Burns, the Judge for You in Division 2!
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