J.D. Burton

J.D. Burton is the Vice Chancellor of Government and Community Relations at WashU, where he leads all facets of the government relations team and is a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet.

JD’s professional career and legal background have afforded him the opportunity to serve in several roles in law, government and higher education. Before his time at WashU, Burton directed and led government relations activities for the University of Minnesota campus system at the local, state, and federal levels.

Burton also worked in government relations in the office of St. Paul, Minn., Mayor Christopher B. Coleman from 2012-15, including as director from 2013-15. His previous experience includes serving as a senior attorney at Flaherty & Hood from 2008-2012, where he represented communities across the state; law clerk positions in Minnesota’s largest city and county, and as a legislative assistant for a senior member of Congress in Washington, D.C. He began his career in federal relations at the D.C. branch of a Minneapolis-based law firm.

Burton earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Luther College in Iowa and his law degree from William Mitchell School of Law in St. Paul, Minn. He and his wife have two daughters.