Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

63 Best Lawyers awards

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation Corporate Law Government Relations Practice

Biography

Having served in key leadership positions in state and federal government, Ed Turlington uses this experience to serve clients in a variety of industries, including health care, transportation and education. Much of his time is spent advising technology companies on legal issues and public policy matters.

Ed has a distinguished record of public service. He has served as Chief of Staff to both the Governor and Lt. Governor of North Carolina, as Special Assistant/Counsel to a United States Senator, and as a national advisor to three presidential candidates.

Given his government experience, Ed represents clients before the executive branch, legislative branch, and agencies on a variety of matters. In his practice, he works to impact government policy through interactions with senior government officials, regulatory and administrative agencies, and drafting and building support for legislation. He has been ranked by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research in the top three percent of all registered lobbyists in the state.

His work includes representing clients in procurement and contract matters with state agencies such as the Department of Information Technology, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

In his roles as an attorney and public policy leader, Ed has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox, CSPAN, NPR and the BBC. He has also been quoted in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

Ed represents a variety of businesses in the fields of media, communications and technology. He spends much of his time advising tech companies on contracts, procurement and taxation, and served as state government counsel to the North Carolina Tech Association since 2005. An active lobbyist, Ed works for policies that help grow technology jobs in North Carolina and across the nation.

Ed counsels health care organizations on a variety of regulatory and legal issues, including legislation related to the industry. His practice includes representing companies that provide health insurance and services (both to individuals and correctional institutions) and companies that operate hospitals.

Ed counsels businesses on economic incentives and works to impact government policies, such as state tax laws and regulations, in an effort to create jobs in North Carolina.

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

63 Best Lawyers awards

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP logo

Overview

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, JD, graduated 1982
  • Duke University, BA, graduated 1979

  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association

  • Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh, NC - Member
  • Kenan Institute for Engineering, Science & Technology--NC State University - Board of Trustees
  • Wake County Bar Association - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

  • North Carolina - Court of Appeals
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association
  • Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh, NC - Member
  • Kenan Institute for Engineering, Science & Technology--NC State University - Board of Trustees
  • Wake County Bar Association - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, JD, graduated 1982
  • Duke University, BA, graduated 1979
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • North Carolina - Court of Appeals

Client Testimonials

Ed is knowledgeable, diligent and connected. He is a great person with whom to develop an organizational advocacy strategy.

Joe Freddoso (MCNC)

Research Triangle Park, NC

Ed is a smart, ethical, and pragmatic attorney who goes to great lengths to make sure that his clients are represented to the best of his ability. His experience in government is key to his effectiveness, and his knowledge of the process is unsurpassed.

Ed is excellent government relations counsel. He has deep and trusted contacts and stellar reputation at the North Carolina General Assembly and within the Governor's office.

Joe Freddoso (MCNC)

Research Triangle Park, NC

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Government Relations Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Government Relations Practice
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Government Relations Practice, Raleigh (2020)
  • Government Relations Practice, Raleigh (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Government Relations Practice
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Education Law
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Franchise Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Utilities Law
  • Transportation Law
  • Tax Law
  • Technology Law
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© in Government Relations Practice (2011-2025), Corporate Law and Commercial Litigation (2011-2025); Raleigh "Lawyer of the Year" for Government Relations Practice (2020)

  • Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers in Business/Corporate Law (2006, 2014-2017)
  • Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition for Business/Corporate Law (2015)
  • Peer Review Rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Winner of the IT Support Services Award from the North Carolina Technology Association

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