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

The Benefits of Creating a Trust for Your Children

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 13, 2026
The Benefits of Creating a Trust for Your Children Many parents want to leave assets to their children but are understandably concerned about giving a young beneficiary unrestricted access to a large inheritance. A trust can provide an effective way to protect and manage assets for a child while still ensuring that funds are available for important needs such as education, healthcare, housing, and support. A trust allows the person creating it to appoint a trustee to manage the assets on behalf of the child according to specific instructions. Parents can determine when and how distributions are made, rather than requiring a child to receive everything outright at a certain age. For example, a trust may allow funds to be used for college expenses while delaying larger distributions until the child reaches a more mature age. Trusts can also provide long-term protection for family assets. Properly structured trusts may help shield an inheritance from creditors, lawsuits, or issues arising from divorce. In some cases, trusts can continue for many years and benefit future generations as well. For families who want greater control, flexibility, and protection, trusts are often one of the most valuable estate planning tools available. Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC, with experience in trusts and estate planning. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

Why Every Parent of Minor Children Needs an Estate Plan

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 13, 2026
Why Every Parent of Minor Children Needs an Estate Plan Many parents assume estate planning is something that can wait until later in life, but having minor children changes that calculation entirely. One of the most important reasons parents should have an estate plan is to ensure that trusted individuals are chosen to care for their children if something unexpected happens and to protect their children’s inheritance. Without a will or proper planning documents in place, decisions regarding guardianship and the management of a child’s inheritance may be left to the courts or default Louisiana law.  A comprehensive estate plan for parents often includes a will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and in many cases, trusts for minor children. Parents may use trusts to hold and manage assets for their children until they reach an age where they are mature enough to handle significant financial responsibility. This can help avoid situations where a child receives a large inheritance outright at age eighteen. Estate planning can also help families avoid unnecessary conflict, delays, and expense. By clearly stating your wishes and creating a plan tailored to your family, you can provide stability and financial protection for your children during an already difficult time. For many young families, estate planning is not simply about wealth transfer—it is about protecting the people who matter most. Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC with experience in trusts and estate planning for families. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .