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John Turner

John Turner

A veteran attorney, entreprenuer, and investor, John Turner wields a differentiated skill set. Integrating his expertise across investment management, legal practice, and public service, he possesses a uniquely balanced perspective—one that enables him to understand and address the nuanced legal, financial, and operational dimensions of complex business disputes.

Investment career

Before establishing his mediation practice, John built a distinguished career as an entrepreneur and investment fiduciary. As co-founder of Rockstreet Partners, a private equity real estate firm managing over $320 million in assets, he oversaw investment sourcing, deal structuring, and portfolio management—requiring him to resolve competing interests, mitigate risks, and negotiate solutions in dynamic, high-pressure environments. Serving as both chief counsel and CIO, he regularly bridged legal, financial, and operational concerns, sharpening his ability to overcome multifaceted challenges with clarity and strategic insight.

Following the sale of Rockstreet in 2021, John founded AltaMesa Capital Management, LP, a special situations investment firm specializing in non-performing commercial real estate loans and distressed properties. In this role, he works closely with stakeholders in complex financial restructurings, distressed asset resolutions, and business turnarounds—further refining his ability to facilitate consensus among parties with divergent interests. His deep understanding of financial distress, business strategy, and legal frameworks enables him to operate with a balanced, results-driven approach that accounts for both immediate concerns and long-term outcomes.

Legal career

Prior to founding Rockstreet, John was Managing Director and General Counsel at Phoenix Capital Partners, an SEC-registered private equity real estate firm, where he led capital formation strategies, structured joint venture investments, and oversaw all regulatory compliance—requiring him to balance legal risk with business objectives and align diverse stakeholders in high-value transactions.

Prior to his in-house role, John was a commercial litigator at top-tier firms, including AM 100 firm Locke Lord LLP and Dallas litigation boutique Gruber Hurst Johanson Hail Shank LLP. He represented Fortune 500 companies and middle-market businesses in high-stakes disputes involving real estate transactions, loan restructurings, corporate partnerships, labor and employment, and business torts. His deep litigation experience allows him to anticipate legal arguments, assess risk, and guide parties toward negotiated solutions that avoid costly, prolonged litigation. At the same time, John’s success in trying cases involving fraudulent inducement in real estate development, multi-million-dollar consulting disputes, and restrictive covenant enforcement gives him the strategic insight to anticipate important issues critical to reaching negotiated solutions.

Judicial clerkship

John began his legal career clerking for the Hon. John McBryde, U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Texas. In this role, he conducted legal research and drafted judicial opinions on a wide range of federal and state matters, further refining his ability to analyze intricate legal issues—a skill that now informs his mediation practice by allowing him to assess claims objectively and facilitate well-reasoned settlements.

Government service

John served as a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, He also served a three-year enlistment in the United States Army, serving as an infantryman in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion-5th Calvary Regiment.

Education

John earned a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and a BA in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin.

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Experience

AltaMesa Capital
Founder & Managing Partner

Rockstreet Partners
Co-founder

Phoenix Capital Partners
General Counsel

Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail & Shank
Litigator

Locke Lord
Litigator

Judicial Clerkship

Unites States District Court
Law Clerk to U.S. District Court
Judge John McBryde of the Northern District of Texas

Government Service

Unites States Senate
Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hurchison

Unites States Army
Infantryman

Education

Georgetown Univ. Law Center
JD

The Univ. of Texas at Austin
BA, Economics