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

Collaborative Divorce vs. Traditional Divorce: Cost and Outcome Comparison

By Johnston Burkhardt • April 23, 2026
Collaborative Divorce vs. Traditional Divorce: Cost and Outcome Comparison The differences between collaborative divorce and traditional litigation are significant, particularly when it comes to cost and outcomes. Traditional divorce is driven by the court system. It often involves multiple hearings, formal discovery, and extensive attorney involvement. This can lead to substantial legal fees and prolonged timelines. Collaborative divorce, by contrast, is designed to streamline the process. While there are still professional costs involved, the focus on resolution typically results in lower overall expenses. The outcomes also differ. In traditional divorce, a judge makes the final decisions. Those decisions may not fully reflect the priorities or preferences of either party. In collaborative divorce, the parties maintain control over the outcome. This often leads to more customized and practical solutions. Perhaps most importantly, collaborative divorce tends to preserve relationships. This is especially valuable in cases where the parties will continue to interact, such as co-parenting situations. For many couples, the choice comes down to this: a court-driven process with uncertain outcomes, or a controlled, solution-focused process designed to move forward efficiently.  Johnston Burkhardt is a family lawyer and registered divorce Mediator listed on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Mediator Registry. He is versed in community property partition, custody, child and spousal support, and all issues that arise during divorce. To learn more about mediation or schedule a free consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law

Benefits of Collaborative Divorce for Families with Children

By Johnston Burkhardt • April 23, 2026
Amicable Divorce in Louisiana An amicable divorce is exactly what it sounds like: a divorce where both spouses work together to reach an agreement rather than fight through the court system. In Louisiana, this typically means both spouses agree on the major issues: property division, custody, and support. Instead of relying on a judge to decide these issues, the parties maintain control over the outcome. That control often leads to better, more tailored solutions for both sides. An amicable divorce does not mean there are no disagreements. It means the parties are willing to resolve those disagreements productively—often through mediation or negotiation—rather than litigation. The process is also significantly more efficient. In many cases, once an agreement is reached, the divorce can proceed quickly after the required separation period. This stands in contrast to contested divorces, which can take years to resolve. For many couples, an amicable divorce offers a path forward that protects finances, reduces stress, and preserves relationships, especially when children are involved. Johnston Burkhardt is a family lawyer and registered divorce Mediator listed on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Mediator Registry. He is versed in community property partition, custody, child and spousal support, and all issues that arise during divorce. To learn more about mediation or schedule a free consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law