Since coming to Boone from the Raleigh area in 1984, John Turner has practiced law with a focus on creative problem-solving and skilled advocacy.  While he has litigated a wide range of cases in his career, he presently limits his trial practice to business, property (including condemnation, easement, and title disputes) and property owners’ association matters.  Mr. Turner also maintains an active business practice, counseling clients forming and operating limited liability entities, partnerships, and joint ventures.  Commercial and residential real estate transactions are a major component of Mr. Turner’s practice.  He personally oversees and conducts each of his real estate closings.  This hands-on approach allows him to proactively identify and address potential problems to help assure that his clients do not fall prey to unforeseen pitfalls.  To that end, Mr. Turner encourages his clients to counsel with him before they enter into contracts and before they reach the closing table. 
 

Mr. Turner works with a number of clients who engage in responsible real estate development with sensitivity for the beauty, health, and heritage of our mountain region.  He is experienced in creating both large and small-scale developments, from subdivisions to residential and commercial condominiums, town homes, and other planned unit developments.  He is an active supporter of regional land conservation efforts and has worked closely with local conservancy groups.  Mr. Turner is skilled in assisting clients with due-diligence processes and with obtaining regulatory approvals from town and county boards and administrative staff. 

In addition to real estate, Mr. Turner’s practice includes a substantial volume of estate planning and administration work.  He takes the time to carefully review clients’ goals and the best strategies for achieving them. 

Mr. Turner received his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he majored in English and minored in History and Business Administration.    He attended law school as a CCB and Law Alumni Scholar at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, earning his J.D. degree in 1983.   

Since coming to Boone, Mr. Turner has served as an active volunteer for many charitable and professional organizations.  He was a founding member, the incorporator, and president of the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.  He is also a past board chair for OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Shelter, Information, and Service), Inc.  Mr. Turner has served on the Real Property Council of the North Carolina Bar Association and chaired the Joint Task Force on Residential Forms between the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Association of Realtors.  He is a two-time past president of the Watauga County Bar Association.  He is also a frequent presenter on Real Property Issues.

Scott W. Heintzelman

Scott Heintzelman brings twenty-seven years of legal experience to his new affiliation as Of Counsel with the Turner Law Office, PA.  Since coming to the Boone area in 1992, Scott has practiced in the areas of personal injury claims, workers compensation cases, residential and commercial real estate transaction, property owners association representation, collections, corporation law and business formation, estate planning and administration, and mediation services. Scott will continue working in these areas, as well as litigation support, in his new position.

Scott received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he graduated “With Honors.” He then attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law, earning his law degree in 1982.

Since coming to Boone, Scott has been, and remains, an active member of the High Country community, serving as a long-time board member of the High Country United Way and Hospitality House. Mr. Heintzelman is especially proud of being a founding member of the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center (formerly Blue Ridge Dispute Settlement Center) in Boone which organization strives to promote creative non-confrontational problem solving throughout our community.  Scott is presently a board member of the Avery County Humane Society.