Stephanie Pearce Burke attended Ohio Northern University. 

Stephanie Pearce Burke | Ohio Northern University

Stephanie Pearce Burke - Ballotpedia

Stephanie Pearce Burke has a bachelor's degree and law degree form Ohio Northern University. 

Stephanie is a judge for the Kentucky 30th District Court, 14th Division. She has been on the bench since 2010. Before taking the bench, she worked as an attorney at her own law practice from 2002 to 2010. She previously worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in 1995 and as an associate and managing attorney for the O'Koon Law Firm from 1995 to 2002. She has also served as a staff attorney for the Jefferson Family Court, as a guardian ad litem, and as a contract attorney and public advocate for the Louisville Metro Defender's Office and the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. She also founded and served as a mediator for "Resolutions of Kentucky."

Stephanie previoulsy worked as an attorney at her own law practice. She also worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney, an associate and managing attorney for the O'Koon Law Firm, a staff attorney for the Jefferson Family Court, a guardian ad litem, and as a contract attorney and public advocate for the Louisville Metro Defender's Office and the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. She also founded and served as a mediator for "Resolutions of Kentucky."

Stephanie is currently a judge of the Kentucky 30th District Court, 14th Division. She was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Stephanie is currently a district court judge of the Kentucky 30th District Court, 14th Division. She was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Facebook

Seeks to improve the "system" for those struggling with poverty, addiction, and mental illness through problem-solving courts, progressive legislation, and community education.

- Seeks to improve the "system" for those struggling with poverty, addiction, and mental illness through problem-solving courts, progressive legislation, and community education.

Judicial Administration

Aims to offer meaningful solutions for "those too often underserved by the justice system."

- Aims to offer meaningful solutions for "those too often underserved by the justice system."

Judicial Philosophy

LinkedIn

Served in the board of directors at the Center for Women & Families and as a board member at the Community Connections Group.

- Served in the board of directors at the Center for Women & Families and as a board member at the Community Connections Group.

Community Involvement

As of March 10, 2026, Stephanie Pearce Burke’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As a legal associate and attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

- As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a legal associate and attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Legal Experience

Stephanie Pearce Burke

As a county court judge, presides over the county’s mental health courts and drug court program.

Kentucky voters decide on justice system term lengths, qualifications

Stephanie Pearce Burke has a bachelor 27s degree and a law degree from Ohio Northern University. She has spent her entire legal career working in the Jefferson County court system in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Stephanie is a judge for the Kentucky 30th District Court, 14th Division. She has been on the bench since 2010. Before taking the bench, she worked as an attorney at her own law practice from 2002 to 2010. She also worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in 1995 and as an associate and managing attorney for the O'Koon Law Firm from 1995 to 2002. She has also previously served as a staff attorney for the Jefferson Family Court, as a guardian ad litem, and as a contract attorney and public advocate for the Louisville Metro Defender's Office and the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. She also founded and served as a mediator for "Resolutions of Kentucky."

Candidate Stephanie Pearce Burke's stance on ethics is reflected in a court ruling that highlighted an "ex parte culture" among some judges that is inconsistent with ethical judicial duties.

As a judge, presides over the county’s mental health courts and drug court program.

Stephanie Pearce Burke has a bachelor s degree in criminal justice and a juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University. She has spent her entire legal career working in the Jefferson County court system in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Stephanie is a judge for the Jefferson County District Court. She previously worked as a mediator and founded Resolutions of Kentucky. 

Stephanie is currently a judge of the Kentucky 30th District Court, 14th Division. She was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022. 

For Candidate Stephanie Pearce Burke on Issue judicial-administration:  
Highlights the importance of proper resource distribution to ensure timely case hearings.

- District court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases, as well as, small claims (involving $2,500 or less), landlord eviction cases, and cases related to domestic violence and abuse. 
- In Kentucky, there are 116 district court judges serving in 60 judicial districts.
- District court judges are elected for four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- District court judges earn ​$141,761 annually. 