Baker Donelson Shareholder Sara M. Turner Elected First Vice President of DRI

DRI's national elections were held at the organization's annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on October 15 - 17, 2025.

A shareholder in Baker Donelson's Birmingham, Alabama, office, Ms. Turner is committed to advancing the interests of her clients through her experience and innovative legal solutions. Serving as the chair of the Firm's Hospitality Industry Service Team, she proactively connects with in-house counsel and other professionals to exchange insights and promote growth.

Ms. Turner's extensive involvement with DRI has spanned many years, including successful tenures as DRI's Second Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, a member of DRI's Board of Directors, and chair of both DRI's Retail and Hospitality and Technology Committees. She has refined her skills in managing a wide array of litigation claims, including hospitality, franchise, timeshare, human trafficking, product liability, drug and medical device, class action, and commercial litigation. She also excels at coordinating nationwide defense strategies for her clients, and when alternative dispute resolution methods fail, she skillfully represents clients before arbitrators, judges, and juries, leveraging her considerable trial experience and deep industry knowledge.

Ms. Turner's legal achievements have garnered numerous recognitions. She is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2024 - 2026), Commercial Litigation (2025 - 2026), and Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (2026). Ms. Turner has also been named to Mid-South Super Lawyers and has been recognized as one of the top 50 female attorneys by the publication. Additionally, she is listed in The International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers and has been recognized by BTI Consulting Group as a Client Service All-Star for Law Firms.