Born in the wake of George Floyd’s death, TurnSignl was founded to bring safety, accountability, and peace of mind to drivers during traffic stops and accidents. What started in Minnesota has since expanded nationwide, now protecting more than 200,000 people through its innovative real-time legal support platform.

When Jazz Hampton walked away from a corporate law career—just a year shy of being put up for partnership—he was taking a leap of faith. But the call from his college friends, Mychal Frelix and Andre Creighton, to build a company that could change lives was one he couldn’t ignore. That leap by the three cofounders became TurnSignl, a groundbreaking mobile app that connects drivers to licensed attorneys in real-time during traffic stops and accidents.

“After the tragedy of George Floyd, we wanted to create technology that could help de-escalate these interactions and ensure everyone gets home safely,” says Hampton, TurnSignl’s CEO and General Counsel. “With my background as both a lawyer and a computer scientist, I felt uniquely positioned to help build this.”

From a Pandemic Launch to 200,000 Lives Covered

Launched in October 2020, TurnSignl has grown from a Minnesota-based idea to a nationwide platform serving more than 200,000 people. Today, the app is offered directly to consumers and as a benefit through employers, from small non-profits to Fortune 50 companies. Partnerships with organizations like the Minnesota Vikings help subsidize memberships for low-income users, ensuring access for all.

TurnSignl is also expanding beyond the app. “We are working to be the first company to make a video call on a car’s touchscreen in the U.S.,” Hampton explains. “We want drivers not only to see who’s helping them but know it’s an expert attorney in their jurisdiction.” The company is also exploring applications and partnerships such as insurance companies, rental cars, roadside assistance, and other high-stress scenarios.

Behind the app is a growing community of over 300 attorneys nationwide. TurnSignl attorneys are there day and night across the country, delivering expert legal guidance to ensure the best outcomes for the individual, as well as safety for all concerned.

Hampton recalls the challenge of building this network: “Like any marketplace, it’s the chicken-or-egg problem. We had to expand state by state, only launching where we had enough attorneys to cover 24/7.” Recruitment has ranged from grassroots outreach to attorneys motivated by altruism, business development, or community branding.

Mentorship Without Agendas, Just Insight

For Hampton, MESA mentoring has been a key part of TurnSignl’s journey. He joined the program in 2021, just months after launch. “The beauty of MESA mentorship is having a safe space to be wildly honest—with people who bring real experience but no ulterior motives,” Hampton says.

Mentors like Daren Cotter and Michael Broome have guided him through fundraising, financial management, and strategic growth decisions. “With my mentors, it’s never about being told the right answer. It’s more like being walked through the thought process so I can land on the decision that fits our company best,” he explains.

That guidance has paid off: TurnSignl is now available nationwide, and the number of users on the platform continues to grow.

Daren Cotter, Jazz’s lead MESA mentor, shares, “TurnSignl’s mission naturally attracts an incredible amount of inbound interest from potential partners. The real challenge, and one Jazz has leaned into, is deciding where to focus so that the company can have the most meaningful impact.”

Turning TurnSignl into a Household Name

TurnSignl is redefining what peace of mind looks like for individuals in high-stakes situations, connecting its users to licensed attorneys at the push of a button—anytime, anywhere.

Looking ahead, Hampton’s vision is clear: ubiquity. “I want TurnSignl to be part of our everyday language—like calling an Uber,” he says. “Whether it’s your daughter in her first accident or your son is being pulled over, the goal is the same: de-escalate, protect rights, and ensure everyone––our TurnSignl user and law enforcement––gets home safely.”

And through it all, Hampton is quick to credit MESA: “Without MESA, I wouldn’t have been able to navigate so many storms. Their impact on TurnSignl—and on me personally—has been immeasurable.”