Russell Henry Townsend, Mediator

In addition to his extensive law practice in California, Russell Townsend has pursued a parallel career in assisting parties in accomplishing an alternative dispute resolution, thus avoiding the runaway costs incurred in a full-blown court trial.  Since the early nineties, Russell Townsend has participated as Judge Pro Tem in settlement matters, has acted as discovery facilitator in discovery disputes, and has acted as arbitrator in the fee dispute resolution program for the State Bar of California.  In addition to his experience over the years in mediating and arbitrating disputes, Mr. Townsend has received professional training in mediation and is available to act as a neutral mediator.

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Russell Townsend attended the California Maritime Academy and upon graduation received a Coast Guard License which allowed him to operate any ship of any tonnage anywhere in the world.  In addition, he received a commission in the U. S. Navy Reserve, where he met his obligations over the following three years on various ships, including destroyers and an LSD.  Since he was very young he has been an avid sailor competing in bay and ocean racing and casual cruising. (Maritime Experience)

Before he began law school, Russell Townsend worked for in the title insurance industry where he became experienced in every facet of title and title insurance law.  While attending law school Mr. Townsend clerked for a law firm working on major litigation involving Indian rights, titles to Swamp & Overflow Lands, Tide Lands and Rancho Lands, as well as other boundary and easement matters.  When he graduated, he continued to work on title issues involving the entire waterfront of the City of Eureka on behalf of the private landowners, as well as many other ocean and bey boundaries throughout Northern California.  (Real Property Law Experience)

While continuing his real estate practice through the 80's, 90's and 00's, Russell Townsend handled over 100 family law matters, including support, custody, property division, as well as matters involving Child Protective Services.  In addition, Mr. Townsend handled will, trust, probate, conservatorship, bankruptcy and general contracting matters.  (Family, Wills and Trusts, Probate, and Contracting Law Experience)

Beginning in 1999 and continuing throughout the 2000's, Russell Townsend represented the City of Pittsburg in California and the Pittsburg Power Company in the acquisition of the rights of way necessary for the Los Medanos Energy Center and Delta Energy Center Project transmission lines.  He also conducted all acquisitions for the rights of way necessary for the Kirker Creek Flood Control Project in Pittsburg, CA. (Municipal, Condemnation, and Energy Law Experience)

Following the Base Closure at Mare Island Naval Base (Vallejo, CA) during the late 90's through 2000's, Russell Townsend negotiated the privatization of the electric and gas utilities on Mare Island and developed the legal framework for the ongoing ownership and operation of these utilities by the City of Pittsburg doing business as Island Energy.  (Energy and Municipal Law Experience)

As General Counsel of Pittsburg Power Company, Russell Townsend drafted and negotiated the Purchase and Sale Agreement, as well as many other agreements necessary for the construction, purchase and operation of the Trans Bay Cable Project.  (The Trans Bay Cable Project is a public-private partnership consisting of 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.)  (Energy Development and Contract Law Experience)