Baker Donelson shareholder Sara M. Turner has been named President-Elect of DRI, an international membership organization of attorneys representing businesses and individuals in civil litigation. DRI's elections were held during the organization's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., October 21 – 23.
A shareholder in Baker Donelson's Birmingham, Alabama, office, Ms. Turner serves as chair of the Firm's Hospitality Industry Service Team. Her practice includes hospitality, franchise, timeshare, human trafficking, product liability, drug and medical device, class action, and commercial litigation. She also coordinates nationwide defense strategies for clients and represents clients before arbitrators, judges, and juries.
Ms. Turner's involvement with DRI has spanned many years. Before becoming President-Elect, she served as DRI's First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, a member of its Board of Directors, and chair of both its Retail and Hospitality and Technology Committees.
Ms. Turner is listed in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America®, and Mid-South Super Lawyers. She has been named among the top 50 female attorneys in the Mid-South (2018, 2019, 2022 – 2025) and, in 2025, among the top 50 Alabama and top 50 Birmingham attorneys by Mid-South Super Lawyers. She is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was recognized in The Legal 500 US Southeastern City Elite for Commercial Disputes in 2026. She was also named to the Birmingham Business Journal's 2024 Best of the Bar and has been listed in The International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers.