J. Burkhardt Beale

J. Burkhardt Beale

May 12, 1955 – February 3, 2025

J. Burkhardt Beale, known as Burk to family and friends, passed away unexpectedly on February 3, 2025, after a valiant fight to live. Burk loved life. He was eternally optimistic, always choosing to see the best in others.

A kind-hearted, southern gentleman, Burk was born on May 12, 1955 in Franklin, Virginia. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1973. Burk received his B.A. in Psychology and Government from the University of Virginia in 1977. Inspired by Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird to seek justice for all and following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Burk went on to earn his law degree from the Washington and Lee School of Law in 1980. 

Burk was a respected criminal defense attorney and a member of the Virginia State Bar, Fairfax County Bar, and Prince William County Bar. He was a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (VACDL), and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA). A leading expert in DUI defense, he was a founding member of both the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), frequently lecturing across the country. His appellate work led to four landmark cases, recognized by the Virginia CLE program as pivotal in the fields of traffic, criminal, and DUI defense. Passionate about his work, Burk dedicated over 40 years to the law, always guided by his belief that “Bad things happen to good people.”

Beyond his legal career, Burk embraced life fully. He loved traveling the world, attending concerts and the theater, savoring good wine, and chasing breathtaking sunsets. With the love of his life, Pat, he built three beach cottages in the Outer Banks, NC—his cherished summer retreat since childhood. He also came to love Pat’s happy place Lake Carey, PA with their quaint lakefront cottage, her family nearby, and a welcoming, northern community. Above all, Burk treasured time with family and friends.

Burk was preceded in death by his parents, Marydele and J. Vaughan Beale. He is survived by his devoted wife of 29 years, Pat Fitzsimmons; his son, Jonathan Linwood (Craig) Beale of Richmond, VA; his stepdaughter, Heather C. (Alan) Hall of Burke, VA; his sister, Linda Dell B. Tennent of Lexington, SC; his brother, Jim Vaughan (Elaine) Beale Jr. of Suffolk, VA; his grandsons, Aidan Patrick Hall and Padraig Ryan Hall; two nieces, four nephews, one grand-nephew, several cousins, and his faithful companion and best friend of 17 years, Bailey “Law Dog” Beale.

At the family’s request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to the Stroke Comeback Center in Vienna, VA: www.strokecomebackcenter.org.