Erik L. Burns - Lawyer Profile
Erik Burns was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he resides with his wife Jena. He has two sons and a step-daughter. Prior to graduating from the Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1993, Erik graduated from Catholic High School of Baton Rouge and then obtained a B.A. degree in Business Management with a minor in marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Erik started his career in downtown Baton Rouge as a solo practitioner where he worked with a seasoned attorney and engaged in a diverse general practice and entered into the family law arena. In 1997 Erik was presented with an opportunity to move into a brand-new building in Denham Springs, LA, again working with another seasoned attorney.
In February of 2000, Erik ventured out completely on his own and formed Erik L. Burns, A Professional Law Corporation. He has remained in this practice today; having built an office facility he moved into in March of 2005 and still practices out of to date. He maintains an active practice in the 19th Judicial District, encompassing East Baton Rouge Parish and in the entire 21st Judicial District, which encompasses Livingston Parish, Tangipahoa Parish and St. Helena Parish. He occasionally practices in other surrounding districts, mostly when someone seeks out his vast legal experience for complex issues.
Erik is admitted to practice in all Louisiana State Courts as well as the United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts. Erik has been a certified family law mediator since 2007 and additionally trained in “Collaborative Divorce.” Erik also completed training in Couples Communication and was selected to serve as a “neutral attorney” to participate in a pilot program geared solely for families with high conflict divorce. This education gives Erik a unique ability to understand all facets of the emotions involved with family law related cases, especially those involving child custody where his ultimate focus is only the best interest of children. Erik believes the totality of this training helps him across the board with his personal cases and in mediation due to his ability to understand and relate to the position each party is taking when dealing with issues involving family law.
Erik, during his career has served as the prosecutor for the Town of Walker from 1999 to 2008, and then later sat on the bench as the Magistrate Judge for the Mayor’s court for the Town of Walker from 2008 to March of 2012. He is a past Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President and President for the 21st Judicial District Bar Association.
Erik served on the Louisiana State Bar Associations House of Delegates from 2005 through 2025. He served on the legislative committee for 3 years from 2010-2013. He served on the district 5A Regional Panel pursuant to appointment by the La. State Bar president for the 2014-2015 term and in 2019 he served on a panel tasked with narrowing candidates for the 21st JDC Public Defenders Board. Erik serves as a mentor in the Louisiana State Bar Associations TIP (Transition into Practice) program, having completed the requirements to serve during 2020. In April of 2025, Erik accepted a nomination to serve on the Board of Directors for Southeaster Louisiana Legal Services.
Erik is an active member of the 21st J.D.C. Bar Association, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, including the family law section, and the Florida Parishes Inns of Court.
During his time not working Erik enjoys time at his camp with his family and friends, whether fishing or just relaxing, and he enjoys tennis and reading. He enjoys traveling with his wife and took some great trips with his sons during their years living at home.
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