Attorney Profiles

Founding partner, James “Jim” W. Piper is an experienced family law attorney who has been serving families throughout Texas for more than 37 years. Jim has been board certified since 1988, and he specializes in handling the most sophisticated family law matters in Central Texas.  Jim has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.  Recognized as one of the premier family law litigators in Central Texas, Jim and the experienced staff of Piper & Turner, PLLC utilize a client-centered team approach dedicated to providing thoughtful, prompt, efficient, and exceptional legal services. Jim has built a reputation of excellence amongst his peers and former clients. 

Jim was born in Minnesota in 1950. He graduated from Baylor University, summa cum laude with a BBA in 1971. He attended law school at The University of Texas in Austin, graduating with a JD in 1974.

Jim was admitted to practice law by the Texas Supreme Court in 1974. He has also been admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Western District of Texas (1978); United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit (1980); and the United States Supreme Court (1980).

From 1974 until February 1984, Jim worked for the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas. His responsibilities at this organization grew during his ten year period. During the last eight years, Jim was a managing attorney, supervising up to as many as 25 staff members. During that time, in addition to family law matters, he handled other complex forms of litigation, including serving as lead counsel in many class-action lawsuits.

In 1984, Jim left the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas and formed Piper & Powers, L.L.P. By the late 1980's, the firm had limited its representation to litigation in the area of complex family law matters.

In 2006, Jim joined forces with experienced trial lawyer Travis L. Turner.  Piper & Turner, PLLC was formed in 2009.  Jim's practice, as well as the firm’s, remains limited to representation of clients who need help in the area of complex family law and trial work. 

Jim and the staff at Piper & Turner, PLLC practice a client-focused approach to litigation.  Jim understands that family law litigation is a stressful time in any client’s life and that the stakes are very high.  Jim brings powerful representation and experience to the table to help our clients achieve unparalleled results both inside and outside the courtroom.