James Ryan Turner
Experienced Injury Lawyer in Florence, KY
A native of the coalfields of southeastern Kentucky, Ryan believes that to whom much is given, much is required. Ryan was taught by his father, a prosecutor and preacher, to practice humility, protect the vulnerable, and to have passion for justice. Ryan comes from a family of attorneys and, through his life experience, knows that juries are the most powerful safeguard against greed, danger, and evil, and perhaps the last place in America where the truth still matters. Ryan chose to focus his legal practice in the civil justice system as a means of seeking justice. When you work with Ryan, you work with an idealist – someone who believes in the cause.
In an effort to seek excellence, Ryan has always dedicated his law practice to representing everyday people who’ve been wronged through no fault of their own. Having trained in some of Kentucky’s preeminent personal injury law firms, Ryan has a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully win a jury trial. For that reason, he is able to bring a deeper level of insight to modern personal litigation and trial practice. Personal injury litigation is an ever-evolving field, as attitudes, perceptions, and defense tactics constantly change. By limiting his practice in this way, Ryan is able to stay ahead of defense strategies that seek to obscure the truth and deny justice.
Ryan’s practice focuses on personal injury and wrongful death and trial practice, including: motor vehicle wrecks; tractor trailer wrecks; motorcycle wrecks; pedestrian injuries; defective vehicles, including sudden acceleration and airbag defects; defective medical devices; premises liability; general negligence; uninsured and underinsured motorist claims; and, bad faith claims. Ryan handles cases as many in Ohio as he does in Kentucky and is able to balance his practice in multiple jurisdictions by closely following the constant changes in the law and pending legislation in the state capitals.
In addition, Ryan especially enjoys representing landowners who’ve had their property damaged or taken by government authorities under the power of eminent domain. In 2022, Ryan secured a $1,245,000.00 jury verdict when a road project severely damaged the value of his client’s land. Ryan continues to devote a large percentage of his practice to eminent domain litigation, handling cases throughout Ohio and Kentucky.
Having tried multiple cases to verdict, Ryan is able to bring years of trial experience into his evaluation of every case that comes into the office. Having clerked for the Supreme Court of Kentucky, Ryan is able to construct a trial strategy that will withstand the appeals process. With a reputation as an attorney who can and will try your case, Ryan is often able to reach successful settlements of his client's case without the necessity of a jury trial. Over the years, he has handled relatively small cases in addition to multi-million dollar cases involving catastrophic injuries and death. Above all, Ryan enjoys working with families who genuinely need help. In Kentucky, he was able to obtain one of the largest jury verdicts of its kind on record. In Ohio, he has one of the largest settlements of its kind on record. Ryan prides himself on constant client communication and the close relationships he forms in the litigation process.
Bar Admissions
- Commonwealth of Kentucky
- State of Ohio
Court Admissions
Eastern District of Kentucky
Western District of Kentucky
Southern District of Ohio
Education
NKU Chase College of Law
Juris Doctor
2008
Transylvania University
Magna Cum Laude
B.A. English
2005
Honors & Awards
Super Lawyers - Rising Star
2015-Present
Top 40 under 40 - The National Trial Lawyers - 2012-2015
Holleian Society - Transylvania University - 2005
Past Employment
Taliaferro, Carran, & Keys, PLLC
Associate Attorney
Covington, KY
2013-2015
Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C.
Associate Attorney
Pikeville, KY
2010-2013
Supreme Court of Kentucky
Law Clerk to Deputy Chief Justice Will T. Scott
Frankfort, KY
2009-2010
Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
Prestonsburg, KY
2008-2009
Professional Association & Memberships
Kentucky Bar Association
Northern Kentucky Bar Association
American Association of Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Ohio Association of JusticeMotor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Section, American Association of Justice
Salmon P. Chase Inn of Court
TBI Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
Trucking Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
Community Service
Master Provisions, Chairman of the Board
Kentucky Justice Association, Board of Governors
Speaking Engagements
University of Ottawa: Validity Scales in Civil Litigation (2014)
NKU Chase College of Law: Marketing for Lawyers (2017)