James Clinton Turk

Who is James Clinton Turk?

James Clinton Turk is a United States federal judge.

Born in Roanoke County, Virginia, Turk was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He received an A.B. from Roanoke College in 1949. He received an LL.B. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1952. He was in private practice in Radford, Virginia from 1952 to 1972. He was a member of the Virginia State Senate from 1959 to 1972. He was minority leader from 1965 to 1972.

On September 25, 1972, Turk was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia vacated by Hiram Emory Widener, Jr. Turk was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 12, 1972, and received his commission on October 17, 1972. He served as chief judge from 1973 to 1993, assuming senior status on November 1, 2002.