John H. Turner

Adjunct Professor of Law

Email jht5168@psu.edu

Education

J.D., Vanderbilt University
B.S., University of Alabama

Biography

John H. Turner Jr. is a volunteer attorney for SeniorLAW Center in Philadelphia, where he provides advice, information, and referrals on numerous civil law matters through a statewide free and confidential telephone-based legal service for older Pennsylvanians. Turner previously served as assistant chief (2004 to 2012) and deputy chief (2012 to 2022) of the Indian Resources Section, Environment & Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. There he managed attorneys and administrative staff involved in Indian, water rights, environmental, constitutional, and administrative law-related affirmative and defensive lawsuits for the benefit of Indian tribes. He was the recipient of the John Marshall Award for Outstanding Legal Achievement for Handling of Appeals and the U.S. EPA's Silver Medal. He was twice the division's nominee for Attorney General Award for excellence in management.

Before that, Turner served as Vice-President of the Environmental Law Institute, where he was editor in chief of the Environmental Law Reporter. He also headed a division of Browning-Ferris Industries, an international waste management company. He authored a number of articles on environmental issues, developed waste management and recycling programs nationwide, and helped create, defend, and implement environmentally protective standards for the collection and treatment or disposal of solid and medical waste. Turner also was counsel for a national trade association and was an attorney in private practice.

Professor Turner received his B.S. degree in biology from the University of Alabama and a J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University.

American Indian Law
Federal Courts

Legal Statements