In the winter of 2016, Sara Townsend secured her juris doctor at Santa Clara University School of Law. While studying, she earned such recognitions as the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Remedies, and she was the managing editor of the Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal. Sara Townsend also gained practical legal experience as a summer associate at Fish & Richardson, P.C., where she conducted research on intellectual property law, and as a summer law clerk with the Center for Biological Diversity, where she drafted formal comment letters and an amicus curiae letter to the California Supreme Court.

In addition to her legal studies at Santa Clara Law, Sara Townsend has a background in the biological sciences. She holds her master’s degree from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, where she focused on marine affairs and policy. She authored a master’s thesis on sustainable seafood in the context of Florida fisheries management. 



For recreation, Ms. Townsend enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and other activities that allow her to appreciate the natural world. While residing in Hawaii, she led snorkeling and humpback whale watching excursions.