Mercedes Townsend

Mercedes Townsend, Esq., is an Associate Attorney with Casey Denson Law, where she represents clients at every stage of litigation. Since joining the firm in 2021, she has focused her practice on labor, employment, and civil rights, working to ensure fair treatment in the workplace and meaningful opportunities for all individuals. Recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Labor & Employment Law from 2023–2025, she is known for her dedication to advancing equity across industries.

Mercedes earned her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law and holds a Master of Arts in Women’s History from Sarah Lawrence College. She is admitted to practice in Louisiana, including the U.S. District Courts for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of the state. She is also an active member of professional organizations, including the Plaintiff’s Employment Law Association of Southeast Louisiana, the Legal Network for Gender Equity, TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, and the Louisiana State Bar.

Before joining the firm, Mercedes served as Litigation and Advocacy Staff Attorney for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, where she worked on access-to-justice initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and addressed anti-discrimination violations by public agencies and courts. Her broader advocacy includes founding Friend of the Court, a global platform for developments in women’s sports law, and contributing as a speaker on Title IX and diversity in sports.

In addition to her legal practice, Mercedes Townsend serves on the Tulane Sports Law Advisory Board, is an incoming board member for the New Orleans Workplace Justice Project, and participates in civic organizations such as the Junior League of Greater Covington. Through her litigation, scholarship, and leadership, Mercedes continues to shape the landscape of employment and civil rights law in Louisiana and beyond.

Law Office Affiliations

• Associate Attorney, Casey Denson Law, LLC
• Board Member, New Orleans Workplace Justice Project
• Member, Junior League of Greater Covington
• Member, Plaintiff’s Employment Law Association

Licensed State

• Louisiana

Education

• Tulane University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Sarah Lawrence College
  Master of Arts (MA)

Awards & Badges