I was born in Yerington Nevada in 1942.  I attended the local grammar, Junior High, and High Schools there, graduating in 1960.  While in high school, if I wasn’t participating in a school or sports activity, I either worked in my father’s grocery store or at one of the local farms or mines in the Valley.

I attended the University of Nevada, Reno Campus, graduating in January 1965.  In college, I was active in campus politics (Senior Class President), athletics (football), and a fraternity (Alpha Tan Omega).  I also had a part time job most of the time.  Additionally, I enrolled in the advanced ROTC program and, upon graduation I received a B.S. in Physical Education, a minor in business and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery.

I entered active duty with the U. S. Army in April of 1965 and was honorably discharged as a Captain in August 1970.  I served in South Korea, Oklahoma, and South Vietnam.  My primary assignment during those years was as a commander of company-sized units.  In addition to the theater ribbons associated with duty in South Vietnam, I was awarded two Army Commendation medals and the Bronze Star.

Upon being discharged, I entered law school at Hastings College of the Law, University of California, which is located in San Francisco.  Three years later I graduated and moved to Las Vegas with my wife Judy, son Mitchell, and daughter Jennifer.  After graduation and before moving, I took, successfully, the California Bar Examination.

While in law school and for a year or so thereafter, I served in the US Army Reserves as a Unit Commander in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

In 1973 I went to work for the Clark County Public Defender’s Office as a law clerk and then as a deputy upon passing the Nevada Bar exam.  After a little over two and a half years the law firm of Bell, Leavitt and Green hired me.

 After leaving Bell, Leavitt and Green, I worked briefly at a law firm called Swanson, Momot, and Burns.  Since 1979 I have been practicing as Thomas M. Burns, Ltd., a sole practitioner.  My practice is about thirty percent criminal, the remainder is domestic