Rita Roberts-Turner is a winning state and federal trial attorney whose practice areas include labor and employment, civil rights, and government services from contracting to legislation. She has successfully 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. Rita began as an Assistant Public Defender in 1998. She then served as an Assistant Metropolitan Attorney before serving as the first African American female Chief of Staff for Mayor Karl Dean.
Rita then took on the role of Metro’s Director of Human Resources. After a stint as Chief of Staff for Vanderbilt’s Office of General Counsel, Rita joined WeGo Public Transit (Nashville MTA) in May 2016 as the agency’s first African American female Chief Administrative Officer. During her tenure, she led WeGo’s legal work and community engagement for development of the first North Nashville Neighborhood Transit Center project, among other important projects.
In 2018, Rita was recognized by NashvilleBusiness.net as one of the city’s 100 Leading African Americans. She was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2023.
Her practice areas include employment law, contracts, and government relations. She also offers specialized DEI training and meeting facilitation services to corporations, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations seeking to develop and advance their DEI initiatives.
Rita earned her law degree from Temple University and holds a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Western Kentucky University, where she recently served as a member of the University Alumni Association Board.
