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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