Education
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
- Union College
Bar Admissions
- New York
Contact Information
- jturkel@jorgesbowers.com
- 212-768-0088, ext. 6
Judith E. Turkel
Of Counsel
Judith was an early champion and pioneer working in what was then-considered to be non-traditional family law. She helped develop a body of law that recognizes and serves the needs of previously unrecognized families.
Also, Judith has worked extensively with the LGBTQ community, representing clients in adoptions, donor and parenting agreements and non-marital partnership agreements.
In addition, Judith has always combined her professional knowledge and personal dedication to social justice and change to assist nonprofit organizations.
She is a founding board member of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of New York and has served on and co-chaired the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders. And as President of the Board of Directors of the LGBT Community Center, Judith helped lead a $13 million fundraising campaign.
Judith has received numerous awards and recognition, including from Pace Law School (her alma mater and the alma mater of Nicholas E. Bowers), NYC Bar Association LGBT Rights Committee, Stonewall Community Foundation, National LGBT Bar Association, SAGE and the NYC LGBT Community Center.
About Judith's Career
For many years, Judith was a partner at the Manhattan law firm Turkel Forman LLP alongside Howard M. Forman (who is also of counsel to Jorges & Bowers, LLP). At different times, they hired Nicholas E. Bowers and Paul Carlotto as their associates. They built a law firm, mentored young attorneys and served clients for many years. Judith focused on residential real estate, family law and wills, trusts and estates, with a special emphasis on protecting the rights and interests of LGBTQ clients, finding creative ways for clients to achieve their goals in terms of charitable intent in estate planning as well as in addressing care of companion animals in estate planning. She and Howard are proud of the work they did as well as the relationships they maintained with many of their clients over a period of nearly four decades, all while changing laws, hearts and minds as advocates for their many LGBTQ clients.
When they closed their mid-town office in 2020 and became Of Counsel to Nick’s firm, this opportunity opened the door for a seamless continuation of their firm, even with their change in role and less active involvement in the day to day matters of the firm.
In her more recent pro bono work Judith served as board chair of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a refuge in New York’s Hudson Valley for farmed animals rescued from cruelty, neglect and abandonment.
Presently, Judith serves as board chair and strategic advisor of The Animal Defense Partnership, which provides pro bono legal and consulting services to nonprofits that advocate for animals, run sanctuaries and rescues and support plant-based diet change.
Judith is also trained as a mediator and served as a mediator in family law and other matters.
Get in Touch with Our Law Firm
Judith E. Turkel and the team at Jorges & Bowers, LLP have many decades of experience with real estate law, estate planning and the administration of estates. To learn more or schedule a consultation, please contact us online or call us at (212) 768-0088.