Why Your Business Needs A Legal Team
Travis Townsend / Founding Partner of Townsend & Lockett, LLC
October 17, 2023
Guest Bio
Travis Townsend / Founding Partner of Townsend & Lockett, LLC
Travis is a Founding Partner of the law firm of Townsend & Lockett, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia, and he leads its business law, corporate and securities transactional practices, and he is a Managing Consultant with Torinity Consulting Company. Travis is also an Adjunct Professor on Faculty at the University of Michigan School of Law and the Emory School of Law where he teaches Deal Skills transactional law practicum. Before co-founding Townsend Lockett and providing services to Torinity Consulting Company, Travis was a Senior Associate in Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC's corporate transactional group. Prior to joining Womble Carlyle, Travis practiced law with Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP where he was actively engaged in the Morris Manning Diversity and Legal Opinion Committees. Travis began his legal career with the law firm of Alston & Bird, LLP.
Outside of the professional arena, Travis is the President of the National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter, is a member of the 100 Black Men of South Metro (Atlanta) where he volunteers on the Education Committee, and serves as President of MAFDET, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate disparities in education and employment opportunities in underserved communities. Travis also serves on the Board of Directors of the Serenbe Institute of the Arts, Culture & Environment as its Treasurer, is a member of its Executive and Finance Committees, and its ACE Program f/k/a South Fulton Area Initiative Advisory Committee. Travis has served in numerous leadership positions with the National Urban League Young Professionals, including as its National Programs Chair, and has been a Big Brother volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlanta as well. Fully committed to making a difference in the lives of others, he is a frequent speaker at community events and conferences. Travis is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Travis is a well-respected business owner and community servant whose personal brand lends credibility to the mission of organizations he supports and serves. In 2017, he was a candidate for Mayor of the City of South Fulton, Georgia, and garnered votes and financial support from thousands of metropolitan Atlanta residents.
Travis attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After graduating, Travis remained in Ann Arbor to study law at the University of Michigan School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in May 2003. During his law school tenure, he served as executive notes editor of the Michigan Journal of Race & Law.
Honors
& Awards
Leadership
Atlanta Class of 2023
Leadership Atlanta is of
Atlanta's oldest community leadership programs that connects and inspires
leaders to strengthen metro Atlanta's communities. With a mission to create a
better Atlanta for everyone, after a rigorous and competitive selection
process, Leadership Atlanta takes approximately eighty of metro Atlanta's top
leaders through a development program of deeper immersion and further
connection to each other and the City of Atlanta.
Leadership
Buckhead Class of 2020
Leadership Buckhead is a
principle-based leadership program, focused on helping a select group of
growth-oriented members of the Atlanta community become stronger, more
authentic leaders each year.
Leadership
Georgia Class of 2018
One of the nation's
oldest and most successful leadership training programs for young business,
civic, and community leaders that have the desire and potential to work together
for a better Georgia.
University of Michigan Black Alumni M.A.D.
(Making A Difference in Your Community) Award 2018
The M.A.D. award was created to honor those
who have made significant contributions to their community and/or career
through their time, actions, talents and dedication. Selected for Making a
Difference in Social Action for work in providing criminal law literacy to
people of color and improving relations between police and the community.
National Black MBA Association, Inc. Award for
Best Performing Chapter in Channel of Economic Development 2018
Recognized as best performing chapter across
30,000 professionals with MBAs, JDs, Ph.Ds or extensive executive or
entrepreneurial experience, across 45 chapters across the United States in the
area of Economic Development programming as the Atlanta Chapter's Director of
Economic Development.
Atlanta
Business Chronicle 40 Under 40 Class of 2017
Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 Under 40
Awards honor young movers and shakers who are making a mark in their industries
and leading in their communities.
Georgia
Trend 40 Under 40 Class of 2017
For the last 21 years Georgia Trend has
recognized the State of Georgia's best and brightest under age 40 in business,
politics and government, nonprofit, science, healthcare and education.
Center
for Civic Engagement, Small Business, Big Impact Finalist 2016
Center for Civic Impact Awards recognize
individuals and organizations in Atlanta that are tackling inequality by
empowering and fighting for people and communities in an exceptional way.
Georgia
Trend's Legal Elite 2015
Each year Georgia Trend asks the attorneys of
the State of Georgia to nominate their peers for recognition as one of
Georgia's Legal Elite. The list of lawyers come from all corners of the state
in 10 different practice areas: Bankruptcy/Creditors' Rights, Business Law,
Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, General Practice, Labor &
Employment, Personal Injury, Public Finance/Bonds and Taxes/Estates/Trusts. To
compile this listing, attorneys submit their nominations via Georgia Trend's
website. Respondents are not allowed to vote for themselves. Attorneys with the
most votes from their peers who have recognized their abilities, work ethic,
and overall performance are selected as Georgia's Legal Elite.
40
Under 40 Leadership Award for Entrepreneurship, New Leaders Council, March 2013
Each year, New Leaders Council (NLC) presents
the 40 Under 40 Leadership Awards as a way to honor the work of young,
professional leaders who have exemplified NLC's ideal of political
entrepreneurship. First given in 2008 to outstanding leaders under the age of
40, the awards recognize achievements in four categories: Political Leadership,
Media Leadership, Advocacy, and Entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneurship Award
honors a business, social enterprise or non-profit leader who has created, led,
or reformed an organization significantly.
Outstanding
Atlanta Inductee, Outstanding Atlanta,
October 2012
Outstanding Atlanta is one of Atlanta's
premier organizations with respect to recognizing and connecting top Atlanta
business and community leaders. Outstanding Atlanta is devoted to recognizing
some of the most actively involved and dynamic young people in Atlanta who, in
turn, have helped to promote the leadership qualities that have made Atlanta
such an outstanding place in which to live and work.
Uptown
Magazine's "H" List, Uptown Magazine, April 2012
Uptown Magazine's "H" list is a list of movers
and shakers in the business community and entertainment industry. The list
includes peoples who are hot and who Uptown believes should be on the radar of
the community at large.
Atlanta
Tribune the Magazine "Up Next", Atlanta Tribune the Magazine, May 2010
Through its "Up Next" feature,
Atlanta Tribune the Magazine identifies and recognizes up and coming
professionals and civic leaders who have displayed outstanding accomplishment
in their industry and/or civic service and who show potential as the next leaders
in their respective areas of activity.
Heineken
Rising Start Award, Heineken USA, November 2009
Heineken USA recognizes and celebrates
emerging leaders in the National Urban League movement through its Rising Star
Program. Through this award program, Heineken identifies and honors young
professionals (age 21-40) for their commitment to community and their
leadership in economic empowerment.
Outstanding
Five Under Ten Award, University of Michigan Alumni Association African
American Council, October 2009
This award is bestowed annually to five young U-M
graduates for their professional achievements and/or contributions to the
community-at-large. Award recipients symbolize the hope the U-M community all
hold for our future.
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