James F. Turner, Jr. (b. May 14, 1980 in Pensacola) is an attorney with the Guardian ad Litem Program, an agency which represents the best interests of abused, abandoned, or neglected children in Florida's court system. James earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where he was a member of the Sigma Iota Epsilon business fraternity. After completing his undergraduate studies, he studied law on a full scholarship at the Florida State University College of Law where he earned his juris doctor degree in 2004. He began his legal career as a prosecutor in Tallahassee, Florida at the age of 23, making him one of the youngest prosecutors in the state.
Previously, James worked with the Innocence Project of Florida to help innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom through the use of DNA testing and to help rebuild their lives once released. One such case was that of Wilton Dedge, who after serving 22 years of a life sentence, was the first man in Florida exonerated through DNA evidence. Following Mr. Dedge's release, James worked with former American Bar Association President and Former President of Florida State University, Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, to help lobby the Florida legislature in 2005 on a pro bono basis to pass a claims bill that eventually awarded Mr. Dedge a total of $2.2 million, the largest settlement regarding a wrongful conviction in Florida history. The story of Wilton Dedge was featured in the documentary "After Innocence" that was shown at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.
James is active in both local and state politics. On February 16, 2010, James was elected as Chairman of the Escambia County Democratic Executive Committee (more popularly known as the Escambia County Democratic Party). Previously, James was elected as state committeeman for the Escambia County Democratic Executive Committee for the 2008-2012 term. As a state committeeman, James is a member of the State Executive Committee of the Florida Democratic Party. In December 2008, he was elected as Chairman of the First Congressional District Committee covering Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Washington and Holmes counties. In that role, he sits on the Central Committee, the governing body of the state Democratic Party.
James is a member of the Florida Bar's Committee on the Legal Needs of Children for the 2009-2011 term. The scope and function of the Legal Needs of Children committee is to find ways to implement procedures designed to help assist children who appear in our courtrooms, whether as victims, witnesses or defendants. The committee monitors and influences the Legislative process where such needs are concerned. The committee also studies developments in this area of practice and keeps the members of the Florida Bar informed of significant developments.
In addition to advocating for children's right within the Florida Bar, James is also a member of the Bar's Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law. The Florida Supreme Court has delegated to The Florida Bar, as an official arm of the court, the duty to investigate and prosecute allegations of unauthorized practice of law. When the Bar's Board of Governors approves, based on a recommendation from the Standing committee, the Bar may initiate litigation seeking a civil injunction. The committee also has the authority to issue proposed formal advisory opinions on whether specific conduct constitutes the unlicensed practice of law. The proposed opinions are filed with the Supreme Court of Florida.
In January 2009, James was named one of Pensacola's Rising Stars by the Pensacola Independent News. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar and the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association.
Some Photos Courtesy of Barrett McClean Photography
ABOUT THE CHAIRMAN
"...if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal,' then I'm proud to say I'm a 'Liberal.'"
---John F. Kennedy,
September 14, 1960.
