Grand Master Hironori Otsuka (1892-1982), the founder of Wado Karate, is one of the most important people in martial arts in the 20th century. In 1934, he merged Okinawan karate and traditional Japanese jujutsu into Wado-Ryu Karate – meaning “School/ The Way to Peace/Harmony.” Through his writings, Otsuka taught that the way of martial arts must not be mere fighting technique, but the way of "peace and harmony."  Jonathan Turner, one of Otsuka’s grandsons, has learned during his years of law practice that he should make every effort to achieve a peaceful or harmonious resolution of his clients’ legal disputes, but that when all else fails, he must be prepared to demonstrate the fighting “warrior” spirit to protect and advance his clients’ interests. 

Jonathan’s mother, the daughter of Otsuka, met his father in Japan shortly after World War II. Despite Otsuka’s disapproval of the relationship, Jonathan’s parents eloped, causing a large rift between father and daughter that would last for decades. Many years later, a video circulated -- shorn of Otsuka’s knowledge or permission – that exploited proprietary clips of him performing Wado-Ryu Karate exercises.  Jonathan, by then an accomplished litigator, was asked by his mother to protect his grandfather’s legal interests in court. This was a momentous  accomplishment for Jonathan’s family because not only was the case successfully resolved, it also provided an opportunity for reconciliation between his mother and her side of the family.  Although her father had long passed away at the time of the case, her brother, who had succeeded her father as head of the Wado Ryu organization, expressed appreciation and gratitude for the work Jonathan was able to perform and the results accomplished. 

A now accomplished attorney, Jonathan upholds his grandfather’s teachings through his practice, representing employer clients in all facets of labor and employment law.

Legal Expertise

After many years as a co-managing partner with his own law firm, Mr. Turner was invited to join MSK, as an equity partner in the firm’s labor and employment law practice group. This was a welcome opportunity for him. Throughout most of his legal career, Mr. Turner has provided counsel, advice and representation to many employer clients also served by MSK, including major producers and distributors in the filmed entertainment industry. Having served earlier in his career as part of the legal staff for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and later as in-house labor and employment law counsel for Twentieth Century Fox, he already was professionally acquainted with MSK, its outstanding group of lawyers, and its reputation as a premier law firm for employers in the filmed entertainment industry; hence, the decision to join the firm was a natural and logical move for him.

Mr. Turner has been with MSK since 2015, working out of its Los Angeles offices, where he continues to counsel and represent employers in all aspects of labor and employment law. While a large focus of his practice is in the filmed entertainment industry, Mr. Turner also represents employers across all industry sectors. His practice includes employer representation in labor arbitrations, administrative proceedings, court litigation, and collective bargaining negotiations. Mr. Turner has successfully defended employers at trial and on appeal in wrongful termination cases involving claims for racial discrimination, age discrimination, sexual harassment, disability discrimination, retaliation and breach of employment contract.

Mr. Turner’s practice also includes advice and counsel to employers on human resource management, workplace and leave accommodation issues, compliance with wage and hour laws, employee discipline, harassment prevention, union organizing issues, and collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of management.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Turner has spoken on the topic of employment and labor law at various events, including the ABA Employment and Labor Law Annual Conference, the Entertainment Industry Employment and Labor Law Annual Conference, and seminars and programs sponsored by the Council on Education in Management, the John Langston Bar Association, the Orange County Industrial Research Association, and the Goldman Sachs Legal Clinic for Small Businesses. Mr. Turner also speaks regularly on workplace issues at management training conferences and seminars for his clients.

Honors & Awards

• Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© in Labor Law - Management (2023-2024)

Professional, Business and civic Affiliations

• State Bar of California, Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member
• John Langston Bar Association, Member
• California Minority Counsel Program, Member
• National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), Member

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