Nominated by Bill Clinton Nominated by Bill Clinton Succeeded by James H. Payne Preceded by H. Dale Cook Role Judge | Nominated by Bill Clinton Name Michael Burrage Preceded by H. Dale Cook Preceded by H. Dale Cook | |
Education Southeastern Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma College of Law | ||
Billy Michael Burrage (born 1950) is a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
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Education and career
Burrage was born in Durant, Oklahoma. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1971, and a Juris Doctor from University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1974. He was in private practice at the Stamper and Burrage law firm in Antlers, Oklahoma from 1974 to 1994, and returned to private practice in 2001.
Federal judicial service
Burrage was a United States District Judge for all three of the United States District Courts—Western, Northern, and Eastern—in Oklahoma. He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on March 9, 1994, to the seat vacated by H. Dale Cook. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 8, 1994, and received his commission on June 9, 1994. Burrage became the Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Oklahoma in 1996, serving until his resignation from the court.
Post judicial career
Between 1999 and 2002, Burrage, his brothers Steve and David, and Steve's wife Roberta, became the sole owners of FirstBank of Oklahoma. In 2001, Burrage resigned his judicial duties in all three Oklahoma districts, and returned to private law practice, starting Burrage Law Firm PLLC with his younger son David and daughter-in-law Heather Hillburn Burrage. In 2008, Burrage became a Managing Partner in a second law firm, which was refounded as the Whitten Burrage Law Firm.
Family
Burrage's brother Steve is a former Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. Burrage's older son Sean was a member of the Oklahoma Senate and is the President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.