Michael Burrage facts for kids

Billy Michael Burrage (born June 9, 1950) is a well-known Native American lawyer and a former United States district judge. He served as a judge from 1994 to 2001.

As a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, Burrage has had a long and important career. He was born in Durant, Oklahoma, and after finishing law school, he worked as a lawyer. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed him to be a judge for all three of Oklahoma's U.S. district courts. These courts handle major legal cases for the federal government.

In 1996, he became the Chief Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. After retiring as a judge in 2001, he went back to being a lawyer. He has represented important clients like the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the State of Oklahoma. In 2016, he was honored by being added to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Education

Billy Michael Burrage was born in Durant, Oklahoma, on June 9, 1950. He is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation. He lived in Sherman, Texas, for part of his childhood. After his parents divorced, he moved with his mother to Antlers, Oklahoma.

Burrage comes from a family involved in public service. His brother, Steve Burrage, was the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. His son, Sean Burrage, served in the Oklahoma Senate and was the president of a university.

For his own education, Burrage attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1971. He then went to the University of Oklahoma College of Law to study law. He earned his JD, which is a professional degree for lawyers, in 1974. After graduating, he started working at a law firm in Antlers.

Career as a Federal Judge

In 1994, Burrage's career took a major step forward when President Bill Clinton nominated him to be a federal judge. The United States Senate approved his nomination, and he officially became a judge on June 9, 1994.

He was given a special role, serving as a judge for all three of Oklahoma's federal district courts: the Eastern, Western, and Northern districts. This meant he could hear important cases from all over the state.

Two years later, in 1996, Burrage was promoted to Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Oklahoma. He led this court while continuing to serve the other two districts. He worked as a federal judge until he resigned on March 1, 2001.

Return to Law Practice

After leaving his position as a judge in 2001, Burrage returned to practicing law. He started The Burrage Law Firm with his younger son, David, and his daughter-in-law, Heather. He later became a managing partner at another law firm, Whitten Burrage.

Notable Work and Cases

In his work as a lawyer, Burrage has been involved in several important cases. In 2015, he represented billionaire Harold Hamm in a major legal case. That same year, the University of Oklahoma hired him to lead an investigation into a serious incident on campus.

He has also done important work for his tribe. In 2016, he represented the Choctaw Nation in talks with the Chickasaw Nation and the state of Oklahoma about water rights for Sardis Lake.

In 2022, Burrage spoke to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. He argued that the Choctaw Nation has the right to decide who can be a citizen of the tribe, a principle known as tribal sovereignty.

See also

• List of first minority male lawyers and judges in the United States
• List of Native American jurists