Meet Paulette
The Honorable Paulette Vance Burton was appointed as a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) on 31 January 2022 at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Board of Veterans Appeals.
Prior to assuming this role VLJ Burton concluded a 27-year, 6 months and 29-day career in the U.S. Army. She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). Her final assignment was as Panel 2, Senior Judge with the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals (ACCA) and Executive Officer of the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She was previously an Associate Judge at ACCA. In May 2016, President Barack Obama appointed, LTC Burton to the United States Court of Military Commissions Review (CMCR). LTC Burton became the Chief Judge of CMCR in May 2017. The Army Judge Advocate General's Corps has recognized LTC Burton as the first African-American female to be assigned to the ACCA and the CMCR.
Her previous assignments include: Staff Judge Advocate, United States Army Criminal Investigation Command; Chief, United States Army Judge Advocate Recruiting Office; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Aviation and Warfighting Center; Senior Defense Counsel, National Capital Region; Chief of Claims, 25th Infantry Division; Chief of Legal Assistance, 25th Infantry Division; Trial Defense Counsel, Yongsan, Korea; Trial Counsel, Chief of Claims, and Legal Assistance Attorney, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
A native of Simpsonville, SC, VLJ Burton graduated from Spelman College and was commissioned through the Georgia Technical Institute Reserve Officers Training Corps as a Distinguished Military Graduate. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law, a LL.M. from the Judge Advocate Officer Graduate Course. She is a licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Army Court of Criminal Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the State Bar of South Carolina. VLJ Burton also holds a Certification in Diversity and Inclusion from eCornell and the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.
VLJ Burton's military awards include the Legion of Merit (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with Service Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2). She is also authorized to wear the Army Staff Identification Badge. In 2022, VLJ Burton was awarded the Spirit of Hope Award by the Department of Defense.
She is an active member of the American Bar Association where she previously served on the Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law (SCAFL). VLJ Burton is a life member of the National Bar Association where she serves as Advisor to the Veterans and Military Law Section.
Her community activities include membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Psi Psi Omega Chapter and Top Ladies of Distinction. She is an Elder at Vision Community Church, Fredericksburg, VA. She continues to support the youth in her community as the President of the Board of Directors and a certified USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach for Second to None Track and Field Club, a non-profit organization.
VLJ Burton is married to Brigadier General (Retired) Dave Burton, United States Marine Corps. They are the proud parents of Wesley (24) and Donavon (22).