Burns married Julia W. Schillinger on November 29, 1900, in New Orleans.

He was in private practice in New Orleans from 1904 to 1911, and again from 1913 to 1921, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Louisiana from 1911 to 1913, and later as the United States Attorney for that district from 1921 to 1925.

[2] Burns received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge on October 3, 1925, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana vacated by Judge Charlton Beattie.

He was nominated to the same position by President Coolidge on December 8, 1925.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 21, 1925, and received his commission the same day.