Clay M. Townsend

Clay M. Townsend: "The great American author, Henry Thoreau, once said. “It takes two to speak the truth-one to speak, another to hear”. For over twenty years spent in courtrooms around this state and the country, I have felt it is my calling to speak the truth for those that need to be heard."

Overview:
Clay Townsend was born in Jackson, MS, July 12, 1955.
Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983; U.S., District Court, Middle District of Florida.
Clay was raised in Orlando, Florida and graduated from Boone High School in 1973. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1978, cum laude, and from the University of Florida Law School, cum laude, in 1982. Clay also studied English common law at St. Edmonds Hall, Oxford University, England in 1979. Clay founded Townsend's Fish House and Tavern, a restaurant and night club, which he owned and operated from 1980 - 2000. He also developed historic Townsend's Plantation in Apopka, Florida, the site of numerous outdoor music festivals featuring national acts.
Clay formed the law firm of Griffin, Morgan, Linder and Townsend, P.A. in 1985 with John Morgan, and is presently of counsel to Morgan and Morgan, P.A. Clay has represented clients in personal injury claims, as well as commercial and entertainment litigation, resulting in numerous million-dollar plus settlements. He has also litigated in other state and federal jurisdictions, including New York, Arizona, and others.

Clay is active in a variety of community activities, including being a founding member of The Orlando Shakespeare Festival, SunTrust Advisory Board, social chairman of The Orange County Bar Association and host/sponsor for thirteen years of Central Florida's Largest educational living history event – The Battle of Townsend's Plantation – a Civil War re-enactment. Clay has also managed artists, written and produced a play, "Your Humble Servant, Samuel Johnson," and composed the original music as well.

Education:

• University of Florida (B.A. 1977, J.D. cum laude, 1982.)
• Florida Blue Key (Vice President, 1978)
• Savant

• Constitutional Law
• Family Law
• Comparative Law

• Florida Bar Trial Lawyer's Section
• Florida Bar Entertainment Law Section
• American Bar Association (Entertainment and Sports Law section)
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
• Tennessee Bar Association

• Personal Injury
• Commercial Torts
  • Entertainment Law
  • Sports Law

Wright Entertainment Group, LLC v. .Britney Spears. (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Contract, Accounting
• Client (Johnny Wright) was the former manager for Spears and currently manages Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and other artists. 
• Expert Report Damages: $5,000,000.00
• Status: Still in discovery.

Backstreet Boys, Inc. v. Louis J. Pearlman, Trans Continental Records, Inc. (1st Dept, New York County, New York)

• Indemnification, Contribution, Breach of Settlement Agreement
• Damages: $4.5 Million
• Clients: The Backstreet Boys

Aaron Carter v. Louis J. Pearlman; Trans Continental Records, Inc.; and Louis J. Pearlman Enterprises (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Client Aaron Carter is a multi platinum recording artist
• Declaratory Judgment (void minors entertainment agreement), Breach of Contract, Accounting
• Accounting

Epsilantis v. Trans Continental Company (E.I.S.A. Accounts)

• Multiple investor cases against various brokers and Trans Continental Airlines, Inc. and Louis J. Pearlman.  A class action has been filed but not certified.
• Damages: $5-100 Million

Isham v. City of Fort Lauderdale

• Wrongful death suit of successful business owner killed in an illegal hot pursuit by unauthorized undercover officers.
• Status: In-suit

Past Cases:
Tanner v. Woodland Properties, et al. (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Contract, Fiduciary Duty.
• Client (Tanner) was a development consultant of large Georgia golf community. 
• Expert Report Damages: $5,000,000.00
• Status: Confidential six-figure settlement one week before trial.

Curly Neal, et al v. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. and FUBU Clothing Company (District of Arizona, Federal Court)

• Lanham Act, Right of Publicity, False Light
• Clients were six former Harlem Globetrotter players.
• Damages: Confidential 7 figure settlement after 2 days of trial in Phoenix

Meadowlark Lemon v. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. and FUBU Clothing Company (District of Arizona, Federal Court)

• Co-Counsel to Goldwater Firm
• Lanham Act, Right of Publicity, False Light
• Client was a former Harlem Globetrotter player
• Result: $780,000 verdict, appeal pending.

Hall v. Pearlman, et al (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Constructive Fraud, Fraud
• Clients are former members, managers and shareholders of the Backstreet Boys
• Result: Settled day before trial for confidential amount.

Williams v. Pearlman, et al (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Constructive Fraud, Fraud
• Client was a former managers and shareholder of the Backstreet Boys
• Result: Settled just before trial for confidential amount.

Hard Rock Academy Partners, Inc. v. Hard Rock Café International (USA), Inc, (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Tortuous Interference, Breach of Contract
• Client (HRA) was a licensee of “Hard Rock” brand for education and musical instruments business
• Result: Confidential settlement a week before trial.

Marks v. Hernando County

• Negligence against a sovereign defendant.
• Client paralyzed due to poorly maintained roadway
• Result: $2.5 Million settlement after filing claims bill, legislative and gubernatorial approval.

Clay M. Townsend works from our Orlando office.