Bryan Townsend focuses his practice on litigation involving fiduciary, corporate, and commercial matters in the Delaware Court of Chancery.

He represents directors and officers, as well as stockholders, in litigation matters ranging from appraisal valuations to contractual disputes to claims for breaches of fiduciary duties.

Bryan has advised special committees and directors on the discharge of their fiduciary duties in reviewing proposed transactions, and he has coordinated with expert witnesses on methodologies and developments in appraisal and valuation law. Bryan also represents companies involved in commercial litigation, including post-closing price adjustments and stock purchase agreements. In addition to his experience in the Court of Chancery, Bryan represents clients involved with business litigation in the Superior Court of Delaware and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, as well as pro bono clients in Delaware Family Court.

Bryan serves as the Senate Majority Leader in the Delaware General Assembly. He chairs the Labor Committee, serves on the Judiciary, Housing, and Executive Committees, and has chaired the Housing; Health & Social Services; and Banking, Business & Insurance Committees. Since becoming a State Senator in 2012, Bryan has sponsored several pieces of legislation that have updated the Delaware General Corporation Law, alternative entities acts, and Delaware’s Unclaimed Property law. He has also chaired or served on task forces that have examined Delaware’s fundamental revenue streams and infrastructure needs.

Recent Matters
  • Represented majority owners of a closely-held company in a buyout of a minority stockholder
  • Secured a pre-merger class-action settlement on behalf of company with no change in pecuniary consideration for class members
  • Advised a special committee of disinterested directors regarding negotiations and litigation for a going-private transaction proposed by a controlling stockholder
  • Litigated breach-of-contract actions in various settings, including post-closing price adjustments and stock purchase agreements
  • Expedited litigation relating to an international joint-venture
  • Litigation involving duties in Delaware limited liability companies
  • Discovery matters, including expedited e-discovery and privilege logs
  • Defeated all claims in restrictive covenant litigation against former employee’s new employer
Delaware Business Litigation Report
Delaware Supreme Court Enforces Form and Manner Requirements for Books-and-Records Demands

03.16.26

Delaware Supreme Court Enforces Form and Manner Requirements for Books-and-Records Demands

12.22.25

Chancery Maintains Reasonableness Standard in Restrictive Covenant Dispute After Plaintiff Seeks Money Damages

12.22.25

Chancery Dismisses Fiduciary Duty, Aiding and Abetting Claims Against New Directors for Alleged Harm Prior to Board Service

07.03.25

Chancery Upholds Expulsion of LLC Investor, Awards Fees and Expenses Caused by Breach

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News
Bryan Townsend Shares an Insider’s Perspective on Delaware’s Legislative Process

08.18.25

Bryan Townsend Shares an Insider’s Perspective on Delaware’s Legislative Process

12.19.23

Morris James Attorneys Earn Recognition on the 2023 Office of the Child Advocate Honor Roll

02.28.22

Bryan Townsend and Nicole Freedman Speak to Future Policy Makers at University of Delaware

Articles & Publications

11.15.22

Chancery Determines Divorcee Was One Share Short of Equal Ownership Needed To Avoid Removal from Leadership of Business Empire

11.14.22

Chancery Dismisses Claims Alleging Directors Approved Spring-Loaded Stock Options Before Press Releases on COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

11.14.22

Supreme Court Reverses Chancery Approval of Litigation Settlement for Overly Broad Release and Recommends Change to Chancery Rule 23.1

03.29.22

Chancery Dismisses Derivative Action Arising from $1.2 Billion Stock Sale Based on Plaintiffs’ Failure to Plead Demand Futility

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Engaged in the Community

  • University of Delaware Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2011 – 2015
  • University of Delaware Board of Trustees, Member, 2004 – 2005
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware, Big Brother, 2010 – 2014
Honors
  • Harry S. Truman Scholar, 2003, Delaware
  • Yale Journal on Regulation, Co-Editor-in-Chief and Articles Editor, 2007 - 2009

Services

Admissions

  • Delaware, 2010
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, 2011

Clerkships

  • The Honorable William B. Chandler, III, Delaware Court of Chancery

Education

  • Yale Law School, JD, 2009
  • University of Cambridge, MPhil, 2006
  • Peking University – Beijng Daxue, 2005
  • University of Delaware, BA, magna cum laude, 2004
  • University of Delaware, MA, 2003
  • University of Delaware, BS, magna cum laude, With Honors, 2003

Professional Affiliations

  • Delaware State Bar Association
  • The Office of the Child Advocate, Delaware, Guardian ad litem on behalf of abused and neglected children
  • Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Volunteer Attorney for victims of domestic violence
  • Widener University Delaware Law School’s Veterans Law Clinic, Volunteer Attorney for veteran with service injuries
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