The Hon. Brian K. Burns (Ret.) was a judge for the 8th Circuit Court District of Mississippi. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Phil Bryant in 2019, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Christopher A. Collins, who returned to private practice. Burns was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election in 2021.
The 8th Circuit includes Leake, Neshoba, Newton, and Scott Counties.
Prior to his appointment, Burns was an assistant district attorney with the 8th Circuit Court District, where he prosecuted felony criminal and drug court cases.
He received a B.S. in agronomy and an M.S. in invasive species from Mississippi State University. Burns then completed a J.D. at Mississippi College School of Law in 2011.
After graduating from law school, he began his legal career as a staff attorney for the Hon. Marcus D. Gordon and the Hon. Vernon R. Cotten with the 8th Circuit Court.
Burns was born and raised on his family’s fruit farm in Neshoba County. His father worked for thirty-four years at U.S. Motors and his mother, Beth, was a nurse. His wife, Robyn, is a pharmacist.