Roger M. Townsend

Roger M. Townsend

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at Bainbridge Island, WA
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor, Litigation, Contracts & Agreements

380 Winslow Way, Suite 200, Bainbridge Island, WA

About Roger

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Employment and Labor 50%

Trial attorney: wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environments, disability accommodation, medical leave, wage withholding, contract disputes, trade secret, confidentiality claims, whistleblowing, and more.

50%
Litigation 30%

Complex litigation counsel for the Western District of Washington, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, King County Superior Court, and other courts throughout the state.

30%
Contracts and Agreements 20%

Executive compensation, negotiating entrance and exit from employment, and minimizing the risk of litigation.

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 30 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1995

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Townsend Legal

380 Winslow Way, Suite 200, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110

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Roger M. Townsend's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (7) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 7
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Employment & Labor

Posted by anonymous | March 18, 2013 | Employment & Labor

Severance Negotiations

Roger assisted me in negotiating a severance, avoiding the need to litigate to protect my rights. The final outcome was clearly better than I could have accomplished on my own and I certainly appreciate his help in ensuring I did not get steamrollered.

Posted by Meredith | April 13, 2012 | Employment & Labor

Highly competent trustworthy attorney

Mr. Townsend has helped me on several different occasions including negotiating an employment contract. He is always professional, responsive, and a great advocate. I HIGHLY recommend him.

Posted by RSJ | February 26, 2012 | Employment & Labor

Highly Recommended

I found Roger to be highly knowledgeable, patient and ethical in his dealings with me on a wage related issue. I had contacted several other lawyers from this sight and only his firm took the time to examine the details of my case before deciding whether or not to act. In my experience he has been bo...th thorough and trustworthy and I would recommend him and his firm to anyone else having employment related issues.

Posted by anonymous | July 25, 2008 | Employment & Labor

Employment document review

Roger quickly reviewed a set of employment documents for me (confidentiality, option agreements, etc.) and provided a number of very useful items of feedback.

See All Client Reviews

Roger M. Townsend's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Roger
William R Sherman headshot
William Sherman

Litigation lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Roger Townsend is a superb lawyer who is a pleasure to work with. I have often referred clients to him, and they have invariably been more than satisfied with his work."

Sidney Christopher Winter headshot
Sidney Winter

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Townsend on a number of occasions. He is a superb strategist, a persuasive advocate, and a first-rate writer. Truly a first-class litigator."

Colin Francis McHugh headshot
Colin McHugh

Discrimination lawyer | Apr 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Roger is a very professional attorney, competent, and fights hard for his clients. I sought out Mr. Townsend to collaborate on a matter in Seattle, and exceeded my expectation with his strategy, knowledge of the law, and thoughtful consideration. I without question endorse this lawyer."

Matthew C Simon headshot
Matthew Simon

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | Apr 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Townsend's responses on Avvo are very insightful and helpful. He has a great understanding of the law. I endorse this lawyer without hesitation"

John Andrew Myer headshot
John Myer

Litigation lawyer | Mar 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Roger Townsend is highly skilled in litigating partnership and shareholder disputes, as well as intellectual property and employment matters. By synthesizing complex issues into compelling narratives, he provides comfort to his clients, judges and juries."

Venkat Balasubramani headshot
Venkat Balasubramani

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Roger is an excellent lawyer. Thoughtful, ethical, and always a zealous advocate. I have worked with him and for him on a variety of matters. I unequivocally recommend Roger."

Philip P Mann headshot
Philip Mann

Litigation lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Roger is a talented, hard working, creative lawyer I have worked with on many occasions. I endorse him highly."

John E. Whitaker headshot
John Whitaker

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | Mar 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Roger on a few matters in the past. He is extremely thorough and detail-oriented. His analysis is always complete and insightful. I highly recommend Roger for any of your legal matters."

Robert B. Kornfeld headshot
Robert Kornfeld

Commercial real estate lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Roger for several years and have had the confidence to hire Roger, myself, to handle a commercial litigation matter for me. He also handles Class Action work. Roger did a bang up job on a case which was very difficult. He was always prepared and provided sound legal advice. He is a tough advocate and is ethical and hardworking. I recommend Roger as a lawyer if you have a tough litigated matter or if you have a business issue which requires sound legal analysis and advice to keep you out of litigation. Most importantly Roger is a good man and one who you can trust."

Frederic Paul Vimeux headshot
Frederic Vimeux

Business lawyer | Jan 13

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. My relation with Roger goes back to the Qpass days. Roger took the time to mentor me. I was impressed as I am still to this day about Roger's smarts, down to earth, efficient practice of the law. In addition, Roger is a gentleman packaged in a top of the line personality ."

Martin Spencer Garthwaite headshot
Martin Garthwaite

Intellectual property lawyer | Dec 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Roger is a very intelligent person, has excellent writing and presentation skills, and is always composed. He'll get to the root of the problem, analyze the options, help the client understand the issues, and present the case clearly and firmly. He'll stay on-task and won't be flustered by bombast."

Jeffrey L Kradel headshot
Jeffrey Kradel

Litigation lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse and recommend Roger without qualification. His reputation as a skilled litigator, negotiator, and counselor to his clients is outstanding. He treats his clients with humanity and achieves outcomes that set him apart not only in Seattle but throughout the country."

Daniel Joseph Gunter headshot
Daniel Gunter

Litigation lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Other

"I recommend Roger highly. I have known Roger for twelve years--first as a colleague (as fellow clerks for the Honorable Robert R. Beezer, Ninth Circuit) and then as a friend and fellow lawyer. Roger has an outstanding legal intellect."

Susan Brye headshot
Susan Brye

Copyright infringement lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Roger is a talented lawyer. His extraordinary intellectual skills, combined with his practical and fair demeanor, makes for a worthy and effective adversary. Roger and I have worked together as adverse parties and we have also spoken together at CLE's and industry events. He is a class act."

Michael Joshua Sobel headshot
Michael Sobel

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Friend

"Roger is one of the those rare attorneys with a superb legal mind, a stunning work ethic, excellent judgment, and a fundamental sense of what's fair. He recently gave me great advice on an Intellectual Property issue (my area of expertise is Criminal Defense). He also happens to be a great guy."

Jessica Eaves Mathews headshot
Jessica Mathews

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly recommend Roger Townsend. He is a thoughtful and excellent lawyer, and a pleasure to work with. I've worked with him in two firms, and then again as opposing counsel, and I have always been impressed with his analytical skills, professionalism and the fact that he is just plain fun to work with."

View All Endorsements
Scott Wilsdon headshot
Scott Wilsdon

Intellectual property lawyer

Stephen Joel Crane headshot
Stephen Crane

Insurance lawyer

John Andrew Myer headshot
John Myer

Securities offerings lawyer

Ryan Vancil Esq headshot
Ryan Vancil

Land use and zoning lawyer

D Christian Addicott headshot
D Addicott

Real estate lawyer

Diana Marie Dearmin headshot
Diana Dearmin

Litigation lawyer

Philip P Mann headshot
Philip Mann

Patent infringement lawyer

Frederic Paul Vimeux headshot
Frederic Vimeux

International law lawyer

Sidney Christopher Winter headshot
Sidney Winter

Litigation lawyer

Anne-Marie E Sargent headshot
Anne-Marie Sargent

Employment and labor lawyer

Robert B. Kornfeld headshot
Robert Kornfeld

Unknown lawyer

Stephen Patrick Connor headshot
Stephen Connor

Employment and labor lawyer

John E. Whitaker headshot
John Whitaker

Intellectual property lawyer

Jeffrey L Kradel headshot
Jeffrey Kradel

Criminal defense lawyer

Judith H. Ramseyer headshot
Judith Ramseyer

Family lawyer

William R Sherman headshot
William Sherman

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer

Jessica Eaves Mathews headshot
Jessica Mathews

Business lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2026

Selected to Super Lawyers, 2008-2026, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2026

Best Lawyer (2021-2026), Best Lawyers

2026

Workplace Environment Committee Member (2024–2027), Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

2026

Advisory Council Member (2024-2026), Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society

2026

Co-Chair, Past Presidents Committee (2018–present), Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington

2026

Co-Chair, Litigation Academy Committee (2026), Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington

2026

Faculty Member, Annual Litigation Academy (2019–present), Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington

2025

Conference Chair (2024–2025), Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference

2024

Program Chair, Executive Committee (2023–2024), Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference

2024

Chair, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee (2023–2024), Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference

2024

Conference Executive Committee Member (2021–2024), Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference

2023

Chair-Elect, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference

2023

Roadways to the Bench Committee (2022–2023), United States District Court for the Western District of Washington

2023

Top 100 Labor and Employment Jury Verdicts in the United States, The Top 100 Magazine

2020

Representative, Western District of Washington (2017-2020), Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference

2017

President, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington

Work Experience

2025 - Present

Managing Partner, Townsend Legal

2006 - Present

Pro Bono Attorney, Legal Gateway Civil Rights Legal Clinic

2014 - 2017

City Council Member, City of Bainbridge Island

2007 - 2024

Partner, Breskin Johnson & Townsend, PLLC

Associations

2005 - Present

United States Supreme Court Bar

Member

1995 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Severance Agreement

Favorable settlement first morning of trial.

Pena, et al. v. Clark Cnty., Wash.

Multimillion-dollar buyout

Pena, et al. v. Clark Cnty., Wash.

600,00 Verdict; Top 100 Labor and Employment Verdicts in US

Executives v. Former Employer

Favorable Settlement Reached

Anthony v. UNICEF

confidential settlement reached

FreightCo v. TransGroup

Judgment for Plaintiffs

In re: Washington Mutual Derivative Litigation

In re WSB Shareholders Derivative Litigation

Szen Corp. v. Anderson et al.

Obtained preliminay injunction; case settled

Wavelink Corporation v. Airwave Wireless

Settlement

Washington Shoe v. A-Z Sporting Goods

Ongoing

See More Legal Cases

Education

1995

Northwestern University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

Wesleyan University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference

Blockchain – how an anonymous invention could change the world

2017

Annual District CLE

Annual District Meeting

2007

2007 Business Law Section Midyear: Trends and Updates to Refine Your Practice

Copyright Issues

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution