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.

Tennell Lockett
Managing Partner – Townsend & Lockett LLC

Description of field of expertise

Tennell focuses his practice on patent, trademark and copyright matters, including all aspects of complex intellectual property litigation and intellectual property and technology licensing and transactions. Tennell also has significant experience securing, protecting and enforcing trademark and service mark rights and registrations for clients of varying industry and portfolio complexity.  Tennell is a member of the Hon. Charles Pannell, Jr. IP Inn of Court, where he serves as a Master of the Inn.

Prior to forming Townsend & Lockett, LLC, Tennell practiced law at Alston & Bird, LLP in its Intellectual Property group. While there, Tennell serviced both large and small clients in complex patent infringement cases, ranging from representations of Fortune 500 and Fortune Global 500 companies to sole inventors. Tennell also gained years of trademark experience, managing large trademark portfolios for numerous companies with nationally- and internationally-recognized trade and service marks. Tennell’s litigation expertise includes considerable trial experience, including multiple successful patent trials in front of the International Trade Commission.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Study the law to acquire indispensable expertise in your area, become a master of the technologies that support your area, and hone skills as a problem solver. 

Christopher Gilmore
Partner – Townsend & Lockett LLC

Description of field of expertise

Private Equity, Corporate Finance & Commercial Real Estate

Chris Gilmore is an experienced corporate and real estate attorney practicing with Townsend & Lockett, LLC. After practicing in some of the largest firms in Atlanta and closing over $3 Billion in transaction value, Mr. Gilmore joined Townsend & Lockett where he leads its Private Equity and Venture Capital group and Commercial Real Estate Group. Mr. Gilmore’s practice focuses on corporate and financial transactions, including but not limited to debt and equity financings, software, service, and sales contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance and structuring. His experience spans a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, professional services, and logistics. With respect to Commercial Real Estate, Mr. Gilmore and his team’s practice focuses on leasing, sale-leasebacks, land and building acquisitions, and commercial development.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

As a new attorney venturing into M&A, below are a few ways to navigate your legal career: 

1. Start with a solid understanding of M&A fundamentals. Familiarize yourself with key concepts such as due diligence, deal structuring, purchase agreements, and regulatory compliance. 
2. M&A transactions involve complex financial and legal analyses. Cultivate strong analytical abilities to evaluate deals, assess risks, and understand the implications of various deal structures. Proficiency with financial statements and valuation methods will be particularly beneficial.
3. Negotiation is a critical aspect of M&A transactions. Work on your negotiation skills to effectively advocate for your clients’ interests while finding mutually beneficial solutions. Practice active listening, persuasion, and strategic compromise.
4. In M&A, precision is crucial. Drafting and reviewing documents with meticulous attention to detail can prevent costly mistakes and legal disputes. 
5. Beyond the legal aspects, a deep understanding of the business and industry context of your clients can be highly advantageous.

Deitra Crawley
Partner – Townsend & Lockett LLC

Description of field of expertise

Corporate, General Counselor, Real Estate, & Energy

Ms. Crawley’s provides strategic counsel to a range of clients in domestic and international business transactions, corporate governance, and compliance. With over 20 years’ experience, she has served as a general counsel practitioner for several corporations, where she led corporate governance, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, legal and compliance departments, and complex dealmaking. Ms. Crawley represents entrepreneurs, developers and financiers in the renewable energy space, clients in entertainment and professional sports, general contractors and subcontractors, government contractors, restaurants, retail, charter schools, and collegiate institutions. She also teaches law students the art of dealmaking and the practice of transactional law at Emory University as an adjunct professor of law.

Ms. Crawley closes deals; advises entrepreneurs and philanthropists on entity formation, restructuring, and strategic planning; solves board governance matters; provides board training; designs custom-tailored agreements and compliance programs; and negotiates and drafts power purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, acquisition documents, government contracts agreements, construction, and other complex arrangements. Ms. Crawley also launched her own non-profit corporation, Global Community Mothers in Law and Know-how (MILK), Inc., to ensure the wisdom of “compassionate” policing is integrated in criminal justice divisions across the globe. Ms. Crawley seeks to drive value to her clients by creating a trusted path to their success.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

My advice to new attorneys interested in my field is to think like a business person when advising business clients as that is a quality that establishes credibility and value; allow the law to guide your counsel.  In addition, stay relevant, always be prepared and manage your client’s expectations. 

Angela Reddock-Wright
Mediator – Signature Resolution

Description of field of expertise

Angela J. Reddock-Wright is an employment and Title IX mediator with Signature Resolution, specializing in a full array of cases, including discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, school tort, hazing and bullying cases.  She has been a practicing attorney for nearly 30 years and was a litigator for 15 years before becoming a mediator.   

In recent years, Reddock-Wright has been a go-to mediator, consultant, and trainer for issues relating to race and ethnicity, including cases and matters stemming from the death of George Floyd in 2020, rising employee activism, the #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements.  Stemming from her reputation in this area, Reddock-Wright also consulted by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) to assist in updating its member policies against sexual harassment.

Reddock-Wright’s career contains a myriad of achievements, most notably her recent features by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for her career success stemming from her humble beginnings in Birmingham, Alabama and Compton, California. She also is a fellow with the International Academy of Mediators, the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers.  

Reddock-Wright is a past president of the Southern California Mediation Association, and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for the employment mediation clinic at the USC Gould School of Law. 

She is a past member of the Board of Trustees for the Los Angeles County Bar Association and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Labor and Employment Section, along with other extensive nonprofit and civic board service.

Reddock-Wright is a frequent speaker, and is an author, blogger, and radio show host.  She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law and Amherst College and completed her training to become a mediator at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

For new attorneys interested in becoming a mediator or neutral, I first would say become a substantive expert in your field of law.  The field of mediation is competitive and those that fare the best tend to have a “go-to” specialty or area of knowledge that distinguishes them from general practitioners to neutrals.  I also would encourage anyone thinking about a career as a neutral to begin by taking a course (generally a 40 hour/1-week course) on mediation theory and philosophy.  Such courses are offered through local bar associations and noted organizations like the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, the Harvard Negotiations Program, or the American Arbitration Association.  This will help begin to shape your understanding and transition from legal practitioner to mediator/neutral.  Finally, spend some years planning for such a transition, especially if you plan to be a full-time neutral.  Becoming a full-time neutral generally takes about 3-5 years for a person to build their book of business.  You want to ensure you are in a position to manage this transition financially.   

Final thoughts…

In addition to my work as a neutral, I also host a weekly radio show entitled the Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright Show on Tavis Smiley’s KBLA Talk 1580 on Saturdays at 11am PST.  I would love for you to tune in!

Luther Wright, Jr.
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Luther Wright, Jr. is an employment lawyer with 29 years of practice experience. He primarily focuses on leadership and employee training on subjects ranging from anti-harassment, DEI, and managing difficult communications to workplace violence and the interplay between the ADA and FMLA. Additionally, he handles complex employment litigation for clients and works closely with General Counsel’s offices and Human Resources Departments to manage and decrease employee litigation and complaints. 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Be sure to focus on the professionalism aspect of the practice of law. What separates average lawyers from great lawyers is “how” they practice law, meaning responsiveness, managing client expectations, and helping clients find solutions they may not be aware of.

Final thoughts…

Our voices, the words we speak, and our leadership matter more now than ever before.

Jimmy F. Robinson, Jr.
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Jimmy is often referred to as a Labor and Employment Powerhouse. His practice involves handling high-stakes, “bet the company” crisis management matters. He develops and implements crisis communication plans for various situations, such as whistleblower allegations, corporate change management issues, class and collective action matters, complex litigation, and highly sensitive investigations. Jimmy counsels executives and boards of directors on proactive crisis planning to help prevent potential issues. He specializes in advising clients facing crisis situations involving serious and reputation-harming allegations, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters.

Jimmy chairs Ogletree’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Practice Group where he leads a group of very talented attorneys dedicated to advising and collaborating with clients to assist them with the full spectrum of workplace DEI-related issues. His practice includes the creation, implementation, and management of DEI programs, including conducting thorough analyses of diversity data and identifying meaningful metrics and benchmarks. He advises employers on the plethora of legal and compliance issues regarding DEI as well as defends employers when diversity practices are challenged. 

Jimmy handles an expansive range of traditional labor and employment matters for national and international companies with operations across the United States and around the world. He has an enviable record of success in representing clients before state and federal courts, administrative agencies including the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, and other various local and state agencies throughout Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, and beyond. He provides proactive, day-to-day counseling aimed at reducing the risk of litigation, avoiding or limiting liability, and managing the disruption, expense, and uncertainty inherent in litigation. 

Jimmy is recognized as one of the most influential and “Go To” attorneys in Virginia. He tops many best lawyer lists and is regularly recognized and celebrated as a Top Lawyer.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Be a Critical Thinker! New attorneys considering a career in employment law or big law in general should prioritize developing critical thinking skills. Big law offers a variety of exciting sectors and specializations including employment law and you will represent clients from a variety of industries in all types of matters. Critical thinking is vital for analyzing complex legal issues, crafting strategic solutions, and effectively advocating for clients. It is important to look for practical solutions and think outside the box. In addition to strong writing and research skills, critical thinking assists in the development of emotional intelligence and the ability to anticipate the needs of clients and your supervising attorneys. This approach will help to navigate high-stakes situations, make informed decisions, and maintain a proactive stance in your practice. Focus on honing these skills to excel in the dynamic and challenging environment of big law.

Final thoughts…

New Attorneys – Invest in yourself! Be the quintessential professional: be on time, show up prepared, be well groomed, look the part; and most important – deliver top-notch work product. Build a strong reputation with your written work and advocacy skills. Go the extra mile to be the best! Be Sagacious!

Shafeeqa W. Giarratani
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Shafeeqa has been recognized nationally and locally as a skilled employment lawyer, both for handling employment litigation and appeals, and providing sound advice and counsel on employment law. She represents employers in federal and state court and before administrative agencies and regulatory agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. From employment discrimination claims based on race, sex, and age; to collective bargaining issues; to whistleblower and retaliation claims, Shafeeqa has successfully litigated and tried all types of cases in the employment law field. Shafeeqa further specializes in advising clients on pay equity, federal contractor compliance, whistleblower employment issues, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Shafeeqa is also a dynamic and entertaining presenter, and frequently presents and trains on various employment law topics in order to assist organizations and managers in litigation prevention and best practices in employment law.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Employment law is a great area to practice. My advice to new attorneys is to always work hard, do your best, and learn as much as you can about the law! The practice of law is a marathon, not a race. To have an enduring practice, remember to enjoy your practice and have fun. Find the areas that exhibit your passion and ensure you have balance in your life.

Final thoughts…

Be yourself! You will find that there are many different styles and paths to be successful in the practice of law. The best road to success is by just being you.

Jazmyn J. Barrow
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Jazmyn is an experienced management-side traditional labor attorney with clients based throughout the U.S. She advises clients in all aspects of labor and employment law, with a particular focus on traditional labor law and matters involving the National Labor Relations Act.

Jazmyn represents employers across various industries in collective bargaining and negotiations with labor unions, as well as in grievance, mediation, and arbitration proceedings. She defends companies in unfair labor practice (ULP), representation, and decertification proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Jazmyn also works with upper-level management and first-line supervisory staff to develop positive employee relations solutions in the face of union organizing activity by providing practical and effective advice and counsel. She also has experience representing employers in mergers, acquisitions, plant closures, and relocations and reductions in force.

In addition to her traditional labor practice, Jazmyn routinely advises companies and their executives, directors, managers, supervisors, and human resources professionals on sensitive labor employment issues. Jazmyn advises clients on employment handbooks, policies, procedures, and employment practices for legal compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law, compliance with federal and state discrimination statutes, employee retention and termination as well as high profile investigations. Jazmyn actively practices in both state and federal courts as well as in proceedings before administrative agencies, including the NLRB, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor (DOL), state civil rights divisions, and other state and federal agencies.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Make yourself available to attorneys who have expertise in the areas that you are interested in and take the time to identify your own mentors. You are the driving force of your own career. It is up to you to identify subject matter experts who can help you develop the skills needed to maximize opportunities for your personal and professional development. Lastly, value relationships over transactions.

Final thoughts…

Work with colleagues that make the practice of law fun. What we do can be both difficult and time-consuming, but working with colleagues who are supportive of me personally has been a game-changer. Find your niche and your tribe!

Description of field of expertise

Joseph K. West is Trial Partner, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and a Member of the Partners Board at Duane Morris LLP. West is an experienced trial lawyer having successfully handled hundreds of matters to conclusion in jurisdictions throughout the country. He manages Duane Morris’ comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program and he chairs the firm’s DEI Consulting Practice. He is an internationally recognized authority in DEI, having worked, lectured and written extensively on the subject. He is the inaugural recipient of the Chambers Lifetime Achievement Award for Equity and Inclusion. West was awarded the National Bar Association’s (NBA) Champion of Diversity Award, the highest DEI specific award issued by the National Bar Association, as well as the Cora T. Walker Corporate Partnership award, a recognition by the president of the NBA for his outstanding contributions to the entire organization. In 2024 he was inducted into the Tulane Law School Hall of Fame and Savoy Magazine named him one of the nation’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers.

Prior to Duane Morris, West was Associate General Counsel and Head of Global Outside Counsel Management at Walmart Stores Inc.; President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association; Assistant General Counsel in the Litigation Group of Entergy Corporation; and spent over 13 years as a litigator and partner in Louisiana.

In addition to serving as co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, West also served as Chair of the ABA Council for the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. West is a member of the Xavier University of Louisiana Board of Trustees. He was recently played by Laurence Fishburne on stage in New York in the play “Like They Do In the Movies” which portrayed his real-life heroics during Hurricane Katrina.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

There are two currencies that will serve you well over the duration of your career and both of them take time to develop. The first is your skill set. Devoting time to learn as much as you can, to seek opportunities to gain practical experience, to perfect your craft; these are all absolutely necessary to distinguish yourself from your competition. The second currency is a well-developed network. I have often said that relationships are the coin of the realm. Without a doubt, talent and experience are the great equalizers, but contacts are the great distinguishers. The fact is, people want to do business with others who they like, respect, and with whom they enjoy a good working relationship. Most importantly, people want to work with someone they trust and whom they are convinced have their best interests at heart. It is important to remember that relationship development is a skill that is rooted in reciprocity. The most fruitful relationships I have enjoyed over the course of my career began with my being willing to support, guide, mentor or just get to know others without any expectation of recompense. That type of genuine and organic relationship building is critical to long-term success.