Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) welcomed Judge Renata Turner, Chief Presiding Judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court, to engage in a fireside chat with AJMLS students alongside Dean Erika Walker-Cash.
Dean Walker-Cash’s Critical Race Theory class hosted the event on Monday, April 8. Judge Turner and Dean Walker-Cash discussed the racial demographics of the children who are involved in the Fulton County Juvenile Court system (children of color, particularly black children, are grossly overrepresented), the systemic challenges those children face, and the resources and community support that is needed to address those challenges. They also discussed the solution-focused strategies Judge Turner has spearheaded including the Fulton School-Justice Pathways Partnership and various local anti-gang summits.
Judge Turner’s career and leadership at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School began in 2007 and grew from Associate Professor to Director of Pro Bono Outreach and Externships to her last post as Assistant Dean for Pro Bono and Experiential Learning. She was appointed to the Juvenile Court in April 2015 as an Associate Judge and was elevated to Presiding Judge in May 2017. As Chief Presiding Judge, Judge Turner oversees the administrative operations of Fulton County Juvenile Court, an institution that employs over 140 individuals. The Court provides critical judicial services to individuals under 18 facing dependency, Children in Need of Services cases, and those under 17 involved in delinquency or traffic violations within Fulton County. It is the largest juvenile court in Georgia and is among the most prominent in the Southeastern United States.
The Law School thanks Judge Turner for her time and continued friendship, it is always a pleasure to welcome her back to campus.