New Orleans Lawyer Lon Burns Permanently Disbarred

The Louisiana Supreme Court revoked Burns' law license after finding forged divorce filings and a pattern of misconduct.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:28pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a forged legal document, such as a divorce decree, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the fraudulent conduct that led to a lawyer's disbarment.A harsh flash illuminates the details of a forged legal document, exposing the unethical conduct that led to a lawyer's permanent disbarment.New Orleans Today

The Louisiana Supreme Court has permanently disbarred New Orleans attorney Lionel 'Lon' Burns Jr., stripping him of his law license and closing the door on any future bid to return to practice. The court found that Burns secured a default divorce judgment with forged documents and false statements, then kept quiet about the fraud, and pointed to a pattern of dishonest conduct that undermined the administration of justice.

Why it matters

The disbarment of an attorney is a serious disciplinary action that reflects a breakdown of professional ethics and a violation of the public trust. This case highlights the importance of integrity and honesty in the legal profession, and the consequences that can result from engaging in fraudulent conduct.

The details

According to the court's order, Burns filed forged pleadings, made false statements of material fact, failed to supervise a non-lawyer assistant, and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The disciplinary case traces back to a 2021 divorce Burns filed for client Paul Lucky III, where a waiver and verification bearing the purported signature of Lucky's spouse, Tierra Singleton, were later challenged as forgeries. A subsequent hearing found that Burns, a paralegal, and Lucky had committed perjury and that the default divorce judgment was obtained through fraud.

  • In 2018, Burns received a one-year suspension.
  • In November 2024, Burns received another two-year suspension from the state Supreme Court.
  • On March 24, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana entered an order suspending Burns from practice in that court for two years, making the federal suspension retroactive to the state suspension.
  • On April 9, 2026, the Louisiana Supreme Court permanently disbarred Burns, revoking his law license.

The players

Lionel 'Lon' Burns Jr.

A former New Orleans attorney who has been permanently disbarred by the Louisiana Supreme Court for a pattern of misconduct, including forging divorce documents and making false statements.

Paul Lucky III

A client of Lon Burns who was involved in a fraudulent divorce case that led to Burns' disbarment.

Tierra Singleton

The purported spouse of Paul Lucky III, whose signature was forged on divorce documents filed by Lon Burns.

Louisiana Supreme Court

The state's highest court that permanently disbarred Lon Burns and revoked his law license.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining the highest ethical standards in the legal profession. The permanent disbarment of Lon Burns sends a strong message that the Louisiana Supreme Court will not tolerate fraudulent conduct that undermines the integrity of the judicial system and erodes public trust.