Part-time Instructor, Department of Political Science
Mr. Turner’s law practice is statewide in scope and focused primarily in the areas of environmental permitting and compliance, regulatory advocacy, public policy development and government relations. In addition, Mr. Turner is involved in a number of important water policy initiatives within Georgia and serves on the team of experts helping develop a habitat conservation plan for listed and threatened mussel species in the Lower Flint River Basin. Mr. Turner also has unique experience assisting clients with coastal marshland issues, including negotiating with the state surrounding questions of ownership. He also remains a sought-after water policy expert, especially regarding issues in agricultural water use and permitting, interstate river basin conflicts, and water supply planning initiatives.
In the fall of 2016, Mr. Turner completed 10 years of public service to the State of Georgia in various senior legal and management posts, including service as Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (“EPD”) and Executive Counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue. Mr. Turner also served as Special Assistant Attorney General, focused primarily on the United States Supreme Court equitable apportionment case, Florida v. Georgia, that was tried before the Special Master, Ralph Lancaster, in November of 2016. Mr. Turner taught water law during the spring 2017 semester at the University of Georgia School of Law, where he was a practitioner-in-residence for the 2016-17 academic year.
Mr. Turner was a Phi Beta Kappa economics and political science graduate from the University of Georgia and earned his law degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. While at UGA, Mr. Turner served as President of the Student Government Association.
In recognition of his broad experience in the areas of environmental regulation and policy, in 2016, Georgia Trend Magazine named Mr. Turner one of its 100 Most Influential Georgians. Mr. Turner was also selected as one of Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 in 2008 and named one of the UGA Alumni Association’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 in 2011. He is a native of Albany, Georgia, and resides in Griffin with his wife, Courtney, and two children.
