Thomas W. and Karen D. Burkart started Burkart Law Offices on March 10, 1986, shortly after graduating from St. Louis University School of Law and passing the Illinois bar exam. They would both pass the Missouri bar exam in 1987. They chose for their location a crossroads in northeast Madison County in Hamel, Illinois. Desiring to expand their success, they opened a second office in 1994. This office is located in Maryville, Illinois.

Initially, the couple worked as a husband and wife legal team, but after two years Mrs. Burkart accepted an appointment by Justice Charles Chapman of the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court to be his senior law clerk. She worked full time in that capacity researching the law and assisting Justice Chapmas in writing the opinions that make the law in Illinois for 13 years. She is published and co-authored many teaching seminars with Justice Chapman. In March 2001, Mrs. Burkart rejoined the firm, bringing her finely honed research and analytical skills to support the accomplishment of clients' goals.

Currently, the Burkarts still work together. Having recently consolidated their practice they now operate full time out of their Hamel office, which underwent renovations in 2007. They are joined by paralegal and title clerk Rona Krueger.