Spotlight
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.
Practice Areas
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court
- Central District of California
- Eastern District of California
- Northern District of California
- Southern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeal
- Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
University of California Davis School of Law, J.D., 1981
California State University, B.A., 1978