The Hon. Kristen D. Burks is an associate judge for the 41st Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. She was elected to the bench on November 6, 2018.
The 41st Judicial Circuit includes Shelby County and Macon County.
Prior to her election, Burks was a partner of Meisner & Burks, a law firm she co-founded. She supplemented her practice with service as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Macon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as well as an attorney for the Macon County Juvenile Office.
Burks earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1996. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1999.
After graduating from law school, Burks began her legal career as a staff attorney for Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Later, she joined the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she served as an assistant prosecuting attorney.
Her memberships have included the Macon County Rotary Club (vice president), the 41st Judicial Circuit Bar Association (president), the Macon County Economic Development Board (president), and the Macon Library Board.
Born in Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Burks attended Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri. She and her husband, Matt, have three children. The family attends Macon First Baptist Church.
She is registered as an Independent.