Legislative and Public Policy

Jim Turner, former Congressman, is a senior partner and heads the firm's Legislative and Public Policy group.

Mr. Turner brings nearly a quarter century of public service experience at the federal, state, and local level to the clients of Arnold & Porter LLP. During his four terms in the US House of Representatives, Mr. Turner, a former Captain in the US Army, served as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Ranking Member of the Terrorism Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member of the Government Management and Technology Subcommittee of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. His work after September 11, 2001 won praise from members of both parties for his leadership on critical issues affecting US security and his vigorous oversight of the agencies under the jurisdiction of his committees. His work on homeland security continues through his service as a member of the National Security Preparedness Group of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, DC.

As a member of the US House of Representatives, Mr. Turner served as co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal responsibility who seek centrist and bi-partisan solutions to healthcare, energy, education, and other national issues. As a Deputy Democratic Whip, he gained important insight into the legislative process as he worked to build support and consensus on key issues.

Mr. Turner served in state government as a member of the Texas Senate (1991-1996), a member of the Texas House of Representatives (1981-1984), and as Chief of Staff and Chief Legislative Liaison to Texas Governor Mark White (1985-1987). He also served as an appointee to the Texas State Ethics Commission and as mayor of his hometown. Following graduation from the University of Texas Law School, where he was an associate editor of the Texas Law Review, Mr. Turner was a law clerk for the Texas Supreme Court.