A founding member of Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, Don Turner retired after decades of legal practice devoted to helping businesses, developers, and individuals navigate complex real estate, zoning, and commercial litigation matters throughout Chester County and beyond.
Throughout his career, Don was known as a thoughtful strategist and steady problem solver, bringing a rare blend of legal insight, business acumen, and practical judgment to every matter he handled. His work spanned high-stakes commercial disputes, shareholder and partnership conflicts, corporate dissolutions, zoning appeals, eminent domain cases, and sophisticated real estate transactions.
Don’s approach was rooted in careful listening, balance, and creativity. He earned the trust of clients and colleagues alike for his ability to see all sides of a dispute, identify common ground, and guide parties toward durable, business-minded resolutions. These same qualities made him a valued mentor within the firm and a respected voice at the negotiating table.
In addition to his legal practice, Don is the founding President of Commercial Dispute Solutions, a Pennsylvania nonprofit established with the encouragement of the Chester County Bench to provide mediation and arbitration services for commercial disputes, reflecting his long-standing commitment to effective and efficient conflict resolution.
Don’s professional excellence has been widely recognized. He has been named a “Top Lawyer” in Business Law and Real Estate Law by Main Line Today magazine, received a preeminent “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell for superior legal ability and ethical standards, and has been selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list over multiple years.
Now serving as Partner Emeritus, Don remains an enduring part of the firm’s foundation and legacy. His influence is reflected not only in the matters he handled, but in the collaborative culture, practical mindset, and client-first values that continue to define the firm today.
Education
- Temple University School of Law, J.D. (1983)
- cum laude
- Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award
- Drexel University (1973)
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (1983)
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Memberships
- Chester County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Chester County Airport Authority
- Former Board Member
- Devon Preparatory School
- Board of Trustees, Former Trustee
- Commercial Dispute Solutions
- Founding President
Martindale Hubbell Rating
- AV Rated*
*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards. For more information, see http://www.martindale.com.
