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TO W N S E N D

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                O F F I C E S 

Since 1979 Russell Townsend worked at building his real property law practice in Northern California. The true foundation for this practice was being forged in the early 70s when he worked at Western Title Insurance Company, where he engaged in all aspects of title insurance industry, and during law school when he began working with his father Peter L. Townsend, Esq., on major waterfront litigation in Contra Costa, Humbolt, Marin, Monterey and San Mateo Counties. 

Russell Townsend’s representation of various title companies and their insureds included matters involving title and easement disputes, zoning, implied dedication, water boundaries (tidelands, S&O, navigable waters, etc.), environmental laws, mechanics liens and foreclosures, among others.

Beginning in 1999 Mr. Townsend commenced representing the City of Pittsburg in the many condemnation actions necessary for the acquisition of rights of way for the Los Medanos Energy Center, the Delta Energy Center, and the Kirker Creek Flood Control Channel. He eventually took on many other matters as Assistant City Attorney, and in 2004 became General Counsel for the Pittsburg Power Company.  Currently, Mr. Townsend continues to promote his private practice centered around real property and energy law.

During the course of his representation of the City of Pittsburg, Mr. Townsend assisted in the Base Closure at Mare Island Naval Base and the privatization of electric and gas utilities (Island Energy). Over the next ten years he represented Island Energy in drafting contracts between Island Energy and developers working on redevelopment of the Island, including the expansion and relocation of the outdated electric and gas facilities.  

Most recently, Mr. Townsend worked on the Trans Bay Cable Project, which commenced commercial operations in late November, 2010, under the ownership and operation of Trans Bay Cable LLC. The Trans Bay Cable Project consisted of the developing, permitting and installing 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 City and County. This included the drafting and review of hundreds of documents ranging from necessary land purchases, land leasing, environmental review, engineering procurement and construction (EPC), to closing instructions and documentation.

Currently Mr. Townsend is continuing with the general practice of law covering the fields of law identified under Areas of Practice..