Turahn L. Jenkins

Turahn Jenkins has practiced for nearly 20 years, gaining deep experience as a trial lawyer, primarily in criminal litigation. His practice focuses on providing the highest level of representation to clients facing the most difficult circumstances of their lives as they navigate the defense of significant criminal charges in both state and federal court. 

Mr. Jenkins has achieved great success in the courtroom and as a community leader. Early in his career, Mr. Jenkins served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Allegheny County Office of District Attorney. There, he handled a wide spectrum of cases ranging from low-level misdemeanors to Criminal Homicide. He gained both non-jury and jury trial experience, worked closely with law enforcement, and developed a reputation for fairness and integrity. 

In addition to his experience as a prosecutor, Mr. Jenkins has also engaged in public service as an Assistant Public Defender with the Allegheny County Office of Public Defender. He was later promoted to Chief Deputy Director of that office. In that role, Mr. Jenkins developed and directed several criminal justice reform initiatives, including the implementation of new procedures for motions to terminate probation.  That single change solved a long-standing problem, impacting thousands of people, who had or would have been maintained on supervision long after they had satisfied all the terms of their probationary sentence. He also worked successfully to fulfill his vision that the office employs social workers on staff to assist clients with coordinating resources in a more holistic approach to criminal defense. Mr. Jenkins is also credited with the office’s change in policy to have attorneys present at Pittsburgh Municipal Court for preliminary arraignments at the time in which magistrates first assess bail. This was the first time in the history of the office that it provided representation to defendants at this very critical stage of the criminal charging process. 

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Jenkins served clients in the mental health field as a social worker. He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Viewers for the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County and as an adjunct professor at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Mr. Jenkins is a dedicated community leader and a social justice advocate currently serving as the Vice President of the Allegheny Lawyers’ Initiative for Justice.

• J.D., Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
• B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania