Rita Roberts-Turner

Rita Roberts-Turner is a winning state and federal trial attorney whose practice areas include labor and employment, civil rights, and government relations. She has successfully defended and tried cases before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Davidson County Chancery Court, and Tennessee Criminal Courts, as well as arguing before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. And as a Rule 31-listed Mediator, Rita understands how to help clients navigate unique and often complex issues outside of the courtroom.

Prior to joining KSM in 2022, Rita enjoyed a long career in public service in Nashville, Tennessee. After graduating from Temple Law School, she began as an Assistant Public Defender in 1998. She then served as an Assistant Metropolitan Attorney for 8 years, where she handled litigation, contracts, and legislation for multiple city departments and employees, before serving as the first African American female Chief of Staff for former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. Rita then took on the role of Metro’s Director of Human Resources, advising over 50 Metro department heads on various human resources matters and overseeing the Metro Civil Service Commission and Benefit Board. After a stint as Chief of Staff for Vanderbilt University’s Office of the General Counsel, Rita joined WeGo Public Transit in May 2016 as the agency’s first African American female Chief Administrative Officer overseeing the agency’s legal affairs as well as procurement, human resources, training, communications, and government affairs.

In 2018, Rita was recognized by NashvilleBusiness.net as one of Nashville’s 100 Leading African Americans. She was recognized by the National Black Lawyers Top 100 in 2022.