RUSSELL HENRY TOWNSEND, ESQ.

Russell Townsend has engaged in the practice of law over the years with an emphasis on several areas of law.  The following will provide an overview of those three major areas and highlight certain accomplishments within those areas:

Energy Law

• participation in all phases of transmission and generation development, including site control, land acquisition and regulatory compliance 

• participation as lead counsel in utility right of way acquisitions

• participation in the development of numerous public-private

      partnerships (transmission/energy) 

        • representation of municipal utilities (previously represented Island     Energy, Vallejo, CA)    

Real Estate Law

• negotiations and documentation for site control and land acquisitions for development projects

• land use and permitting

• real estate development from shopping centers to power plants

• real estate leasing and management

• environmental laws

• title insurance matters

• drafting easement agreements and descriptions

• analyzing all aspects of mapping

• litigation of boundary, easement and title disputes

• development and litigation relating to swamp & overflow, submerged

  and tidelands

Municipal Law

• eminent domain

• municipal services

• municipal utilities

MAJOR PROJECT EXPERIENCE:

Trans Bay Cable Project: As General Counsel of Pittsburg Power Company negotiated the purchase and sale agreement, as well as other agreements necessary for the operation of the Trans Bay Cable Project.  (The Trans Bay Cable Project included the design, construction and operation of an undersea High Voltage Direct Current Cable and associated facilities designed to transmit 400 MW of electricity from Contra Costa County to San Francisco County)

Los Medanos Energy Center, Pittsburg, CA: As Assistant City Attorney participated in the contract negotiations, construction activities, engineering, and conducted all of the acquisitions of the rights of way necessary for the power plant transmission lines, including the negotiated purchase or condemnation proceedings necessary to acquire such rights). 

Delta Energy Center, Pittsburg, CA: As Assistant City Attorney participated in the contract negotiations, construction activities, engineering, and conducted all of the acquisitions of the rights of way necessary for the power plant transmission lines, including the negotiated purchase or condemnation proceedings necessary to acquire such rights). 

Kirker Creek Flood Control Project, Pittsburg, CA: As Assistant City Attorney participated in the contract negotiations, construction activities, engineering, and conducted all of the acquisitions of the rights of way necessary for the power plant transmission lines, including the negotiated purchase or condemnation proceedings necessary to acquire such rights). 

Base Closure at Mare Island Naval Base, Vallejo, CA: As Assistant City Attorney participated in the contract negotiations for the acquisition of the gas and electric utilities from the US Navy and negotiated the Operations Agreements with the City of Vallejo.  Later, as General Counsel handled all contracting for construction activities involving utility assets.

Shopping Center Development, Cupertino, CA:  While associated with the firm of Garrison, Townsend & Orser and its successor firms, Mr. Townsend participated in all aspects of the development and operation of the industrial park (Siemens, Hewlett Packard, GE, etc.) shopping center (Vallco Fashion Park, later sold to Westfield.  Anchor stores include Macy's, Penny's and Sears) and financial park on behalf of Vallco Park, LTD.   

ADMISSIONS/LICENSES:

Licensed to Practice Before All Courts in and for the State of California and Member of the State Bar of California since 1979

Licensed to Practice Before United States District Courts (Northern and Eastern Districts of California)

United States Coast Guard License (Ocean Steam or Motor Vessel, any Gross Tons)

VALLEY OF THE MOON WATER DISTRICT BOARD

Russell Townsend was on the Board of Directors for the Valley of the Moon Water Disctrict for more than six years.  During his tenure he pursued storage issues and ground water management and, with the help of its customers, the District continually met all demand side reduction goals.