Johnston Burkhardt

Attorney

CONTACT

935 Gravier Street, Suite 1800
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 313-4199
Fax: (504) 534-8961
Email: johnston@snw.law

PRACTICE AREAS

  • General Litigation
  • Divorce & Marital Agreements
  • Family Law and Interdictions
  • Family Law Mediation
  • Estate Planning and Successions
  • Criminal Expungements
  • General Counsel Services and Corporate Litigation
  • Real Estate Transactions, Evictions, and Litigation

Johnston Burkhardt joined Sternberg, Naccari & White in 2021. His diverse practice focuses on general litigation, family law litigation and mediation, and successions and estate planning. Johnston is also a real estate title attorney and works closely with the firm’s associated title company, Quality Title. Johnston is a Child Custody and Visitation Mediator, and he is listed on the LSBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section's Mediator Registry.


A lifelong New Orleanian, Johnston’s interest in the law began when he was selected in high school for the Louisiana State Bar Association student internship program. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in General Business, and then obtained his Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where he served as Senior Articles Editor for the Journal of Energy Law and Resources, Volume VII. 

Johnston is associated with the Louisiana, Orleans, and Jefferson Bar Associations and the St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Association. He is a former “40 under 40” honoree for the Youth Empowerment Program.


While in law school at LSU, Johnston served as legal extern for the Hon. Erin Wilder-Doomes, a Magistrate Judge at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. He also clerked during his 2L summer for the Honorable Fredericka H. Wicker at the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. 


Notably, while a law student at LSU, Johnston was SNW’s very first law clerk. He returned to the firm as an attorney after practicing family law in downtown New Orleans. Johnston is an accomplished artist, enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and cooking. While studying for the bar and preparing to practice law, Johnston was the campaign manager for a prominent Judge running for an open seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court.

  • Bar Admissions

    • Louisiana (all state courts)

  • Education

    • Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D./D.C.L.
    • Louisiana State University, B.S

  • Community and Professional Involvement

    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • New Orleans Bar Association
    • Jefferson Bar Association
    • Youth Empowerment Program 40 Under 40 Cohort
    • St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Association

MORE ABOUT JOHNSTON

Estate Planning in Louisiana: Understanding Forced Heirs

By Johnston Burkhardt • March 9, 2026
Estate Planning in Louisiana: Understanding Forced Heirs Louisiana’s forced heirship laws are unique and can significantly affect how a person structures their estate plan. Unlike most states, Louisiana law requires that certain children receive a portion of a parent’s estate, regardless of what a will provides. These children are known as forced heirs.  Under the Louisiana Civil Code, there are two categories of forced heirs. 1. Children Under the Age of 24 A child of the decedent who is 23 years old or younger at the time of the parent’s death is considered a forced heir. If a parent dies while leaving a child under 24, that child is entitled to a reserved portion of the estate known as the forced portion. The forced portion is 25% of the estate if there is one forced heir, or 50% of the estate if there are two or more forced heirs. The remaining portion of the estate (the disposable portion) may be left to anyone the testator chooses. 2. Adult Children with Permanent Disabilities A child of any age can be a forced heir if they are permanently incapable of caring for themselves or managing their affairs due to a mental incapacity or physical infirmity. This category often includes adult children with significant intellectual or developmental disabilities. Because these children may require long-term care and financial support, Louisiana law ensures they cannot be disinherited. Planning Considerations Forced heirship requires careful estate planning. In many cases, a forced heir’s portion can be placed into a trust, allowing the inheritance to be managed responsibly while still complying with Louisiana law. For families with minor children or children with special needs, it is especially important to work with an estate planning attorney to structure a plan that complies with Louisiana law while protecting the long-term interests of the family. If you have questions about forced heirship or need assistance preparing a will or trust, consulting with an experienced Louisiana estate planning attorney can help ensure your plan is legally sound and tailored to your family’s needs. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact Johnston Burkhardt at johnston@snw.law or 504-313-4199.

FinCEN's New Real Estate Reporting Rule Is Now in Effect — Here's What You Need to Know

By Johnston Burkhardt • March 3, 2026
FinCEN's New Real Estate Reporting Rule Is Now in Effect — Here's What You Need to Know 1. The Rule is Live — Nationwide As of March 1, 2026, a landmark new Residential Real Estate Rule from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires federal reporting of certain residential real estate transactions. 2. Why It Exists The U.S. Treasury has long recognized that illicit use of residential real estate threatens national economic security, and this rule is designed to combat and deter money laundering at scale. 3. A Permanent, Nationwide Replacement Unlike FinCEN's previous Geographic Targeting Order framework — which imposed reporting obligations based on location, price, and property type — this new rule applies nationwide and captures a far greater number of transfers. 4. The Three-Part Trigger In plain terms, FinCEN is targeting transactions with three defining features: residential real estate, a buyer that is not a natural person (such as an LLC, corporation, partnership, or trust), and no traditional bank mortgage tied to the purchase (any organization that is not subject to Anti-Money Laundering regulation). 5. Private Financing Doesn't Exempt You Private financing arrangements, including hard money loans, do not qualify as institutional financing for exemption purposes, meaning many deals once considered routine may now trigger federal disclosure requirements. 6. Covered Property Types Covered properties include one-to-four family homes, condominiums, cooperatives, and certain unimproved land intended for residential use. 7. Who Must File While settlement agents and title companies are expected to bear the brunt of the reporting obligations, escrow providers and legal professionals may also be designated reporting persons depending on the transaction structure. 8. Limited Exemptions Apply The rule contains limited exemptions, including transfers occurring by reason of death, divorce, court order, or bankruptcy proceedings — and these exemptions are narrowly defined and must be evaluated carefully. 9. Filing Deadline The Real Estate Report must be filed by the last day of the month following the month of closing, or 30 days after closing — whichever is later. 10. Act Now Given the breadth of the new rule, residential property owners, investors, and real estate professionals should consult legal counsel early to ensure compliance, avoid unexpected closing delays, and properly allocate reporting responsibilities. For more information or to schedule a consult with a real estate attorney, contact Joseph Marriott at (504) 324-1886 or joseph@snw.law , or Johnston Burkhardt at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law . Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your transactions.