From an early age, Tres would spend his summers traveling around West Texas watching his father and mentor W.L. “Dub” Burke, Jr. try lawsuits. Tres always knew what he wanted to do when he grew up—practice law and try cases. Tres learned at an early age that positive results do not come without hard work and dedication. He learned an aggressive spirit and determination from his grandfather W.L. “Pete” Burke who served as Fire Chief for Dyess Air Force Base until his retirement. Tres learned the importance of education from his grandfather, Dr. Cleo Tarter, a lifelong educator and Dean of Students at McMurry College until retirement. He learned compassion and common sense approaches to complex issues from his mother and step-father Joan and Jerry Wood, both lifelong teachers and counselors in the Abilene Independent School District.

After graduation from law school, Tres moved home to Abilene with his wife, Terry. On May 3, 1996, Tres passed the Texas Bar Exam on his first attempt and began actively practicing law with his father, W.L. “Dub” Burke, Jr. The practice became known as Burke & Burke. Today, the firm is known as The Burke Law Firm.

In the early years of practice Tres and Dub tried several civil jury trials together. The experience, confidence, and recognition gained from those formative legal years propelled the Burke Law Firm to the sustained position it is humbled by even today.

Primarily, Tres practices civil litigation including more specifically personal injury and family law trial work. Tres is a member of not only the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, but also the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Tres lives in Abilene with his wife of 20 years, Terry, and has two sons and a daughter. Terry graduated from Cooper High School in 1988 and is a graduate of Abilene Christian University. Terry is employed in the healthcare field focusing on hospice care.