Overview
Josh Turner served as the solicitor general and the chief of constitutional litigation and policy for the Honorable Raúl R. Labrador and now represents clients in appellate and trial courts across the country. He is one of the few attorneys who has argued before the United States Supreme Court. He has also argued dozens of cases before federal courts of appeals, state supreme courts, and state and federal trial courts. Whether litigating against the United States, federal agencies, state governments or private parties, Josh has built a record with successes. He brings his deep experience and know-how to clients in the distribution, technology, food and agriculture, financial, and health care sectors, focusing on appellate litigation, corporate-related litigation, post-deal pricing disputes and distribution practices. And he helps clients manage litigation risk by navigating industry regulations.
Appellate Advocacy
When an issue is worth appealing, it should be handled by an advocate with the skill and experience to maximize the chances of success. Josh has a track record of successes in appellate courts across the country. He was one of the youngest advocates to argue before the United States Supreme Court, and he has argued numerous other cases in federal courts of appeals and state supreme courts. He has litigated emergency appeals all the way to the Supreme Court, overturned a jury verdict with millions of dollars on the line, flipped adverse summary judgments and reversed multimillion-dollar attorney’s fee awards. Josh has particularly extensive experience in the Eighth and Ninth Circuits, and has successfully litigated emergency actions in federal district courts all the way up to the Supreme Court. Josh is known for his clear and cogent advocacy and ability to convey complex concepts in commonly understood ways. On appeal, he has represented Fortune 500 companies in the health care, medical device and consumer product industries, as well as higher-education institutions.
State Attorney General’s Office Experience
While serving as Idaho’s solicitor general and the chief of constitutional litigation and policy, Josh oversaw and managed the State of Idaho’s most complex and significant litigation. He leverages that unique experience to help clients navigate matters involving state attorneys general offices. From consumer protection actions to agency enforcement actions, Josh has firsthand experience on both sides of the “v.”
Corporate Litigation
Josh has handled corporate litigation matters for name-brand clients in health care, retail, financial services, and the food and beverage industry. His experience includes nine-figure cases in the Delaware Court of Chancery; post-merger disputes over reps and warranties, and pricing in courts across the country; and disputes over licensing, distribution and supply, indemnification, real estate and performance guaranty; as well as arbitration cases.
Faculty Position
Josh teaches Appellate Advocacy as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
Personal Interests
Josh enjoys spending time with his family, as well as rooting for the Green Bay Packers, studying philosophy, finding new ways to be active, and visiting state and national parks.
Related Legal Services
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Idaho
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
Idaho Supreme Court
Minnesota Supreme Court
Wisconsin Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Clerkships
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Hon. J. Leon Holmes, 2016-2018
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Hon. Lavenski R. Smith, 2015-2016
Education
Liberty University School of Law
J.D. summa cum laude, Liberty University Law Review (2015)
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S. in Political Science (2012)
Insights & Events
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
- In a case that became a significant inroad for civil rights protections, Josh was appointed by the Seventh Circuit to represent an inmate who although designated as “pair with care,” was placed in a cell with a history of attacking cellmates, and the prison failed to move him after recognizing the error and repeated requests. Three days after the assignment, he was violently attacked by his cellmate. The client filed a civil rights lawsuit against several of the corrections employees for failure to take reasonable means to protect him, but the trial court granted summary judgment for the defendants. Josh briefed and argued before the Seventh Circuit, which issued a ruling agreeing that the risk to the client was excessive and that corrections officers had actual knowledge of the risk but failed to protect the client.
- Josh represented a mother with children with special needs in a dispute with her landlord related to damage when her apartment flooded while she was out of town. Josh secured a release from the landlord for all property damage as well as full reimbursement of the client’s security deposit. He also secured a written, positive reference from the landlord, and located alternative housing for the family, including protection of her Section 8 housing voucher.
- Representing IX of Corcoran — a neighborhood organization which promotes housing quality and advocates for low-income tenants — Josh helped secure a final order in Hennepin County (Minn.) Housing Court appointing an administrator to manage and make repairs to five south Minneapolis apartment buildings, which were home to more than 38 low-income families.
- Josh participated in the More Representation Minneapolis housing initiative, a collaboration between Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office, Twin Cities law firms, the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, aimed at increasing full representation of low-income tenants in eviction defense and affirmative habitability cases. Representing families experiencing substandard housing conditions, advocacy by the team brought both needed repairs to scarce affordable housing and financial compensation for the affected families.
Professional Associations
- Eighth Circuit Bar Association — Communications Committee
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) — Business Litigation Committee Board, 2019-present
Civic Activities
- Covenant Presbyterian Church, Hammond, Wisconsin
- Twin Cities Diversity In Practice (TCDIP) — Mentor
Honors
- Best Lawyers® — “Ones to Watch,” Commercial Litigation, 2023
- Pro Bono Council of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee in coordination with the Minnesota Supreme Court — Outstanding Commitment to Pro Bono Service Recognition, 2020
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-22
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2019
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.