Ellen Turbow

Ellen Turbow is a retired estate planning attorney and former partner in the Palo Alto law firm of Ritchey Fisher Whitman and Klein. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Teaching. After teaching English at the high school level and serving as an administrator in the Federal Poverty Program, she studied law and graduated with a J.D. from Santa Clara University. While practicing law and raising two sons, one of whom had special needs, she nevertheless recognized the importance of community engagement, with an emphasis on children with disabilities and environmental protection.

Her community service has included board membership and chairmanship of the Environmental Volunteers and the Palo Alto Community Fund; board membership of Abilities United and the Children’s Health Council; Capital Campaign Committees for Abilities United and the Environmental Volunteers; the Public Issues Committee of Jewish Family and Children’s Services; and membership on various advisory boards. She is a 2019 Lifetimes of Achievement honoree.