Travis Townsend, Jr.
Co-Founding Partner – Townsend & Lockett LLC
Description of field of expertise
Mr. Townsend’s practice includes servicing businesses and supporting their growth through the facilitation of financing, asset acquisition and relationship management. Travis’ clientele consists of publicly traded companies, privately-held corporations, government authorities and municipalities and joint ventures. During his many years of providing business legal services Travis has mastered the art of contract negotiation and drafting, and has an intimate knowledge of the nuances of building excellent agreements that are in the best interests of his clients.
Travis focuses his work on assisting privately-held businesses raise capital through the offer and sale of securities in compliance with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and applicable state laws. Travis also centers his practice around helping mid-sized and small companies, and entrepreneurial individuals buy and sell businesses. As counsel to my financial institution clients Travis provides support in developing well-protected lending arrangements, drafting security agreements and collateralizing outstanding monies.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
I recommend any attorney looking to get into my field study business principles in depth. Transactional legal work is unique in that it requires attorneys to challenge the risk aversion instincts honed in law school. Clients who engage deal attorneys do so not just to be told how risky a business strategy is; instead they look to us to help them move forward with business plans in the face of risk with mitigation strategies. Business lawyers need to think like MBAs, entrepreneurs, CEOs and COOs – just with a legal eye. Own that responsibility and make yourself a member of your clients’ operations team, not just their legal counsel.
Final thoughts…
Be excellent. Operate in precision, on time, with anticipation of questions and prepared with potential solutions. Don’t wait for things to be pulled from you. Proactivity is golden. The best lawyers drive their service level and their practice. Be a driver not a passenger.