Director of Commerce Donna Owens has promoted James Turner of Gahanna to the position of Acting Chief Legal Counsel for the Ohio Department of Commerce. He was Deputy Legal Counsel for the Department. Turner begins his new duties Monday. He replaces Patricia E. Snyder, who left to spend more time with her family.

"Jim has a proven knowledge of the laws governing the Department of Commerce," Director Owens said. "He has been an important part of the Commerce team for nearly four years, and I am confident he will excel in this new position."

Turner is a graduate of Denison University and the University of Toledo College of Law. His previous experience includes being Assistant Director of Law for the City of Toledo and maintaining a private practice concerning general civil matters, including commercial law, probate and estate planning and real estate laws. Turner joined the Department of Commerce in September of 1994 and has served as Deputy Legal Counsel and Acting Superintendent of the Former Division of Consumer Finance.

Replacing Turner as Deputy Legal Counsel is William E. Leber, Counsel to the Ohio Securities Commissioner.

Leber is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Capital University School of Law. In addition to more than 20 years with the Department of Commerce, he has served in private practice and as general counsel and arbitrator for private companies.

The Department of Commerce is responsible for numerous regulatory functions carried out by its Divisions of Financial Institutions, Liquor Control, Industrial Compliance, Real Estate & Professional Licensing, Securities, State Fire Marshal, and Unclaimed Funds.