Marlen D. Whitley

Marlen’s practice helps strengthen Townsend Lockett’s overall business transactions capabilities and serves as Managing Partner of the Townsend & Lockett Los Angeles office. Marlen’s practice focuses on securities law compliance, corporate finance, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and general contract law.

Prior to joining Townsend Lockett, Marlen served as a Senior Attorney for USAA where he advised USAA’s Board of Directors and internal company and staff agencies and working groups on corporate governance matters. Before his work at USAA, Marlen served as Senior Counsel at Ghost Management Group, LLC, dba Weedmaps where he focused primarily on the company’s securities law compliance, co-lead corporate financings and capital raises, supported business operations, including advising on compliance related matters domestically and internationally and negotiate commercial agreements with company vendors and strategic partners. Prior to Weedmaps, Marlen was partner at each of Reed Smith, LLP and Thompson & Knight, LLP.  At both international law firms, his practice focused on M&A, securities, corporate finance, corporate governance and general corporate work. He served as the hiring partner at both firms, and also served as Reed Smith’s first Executive Director of Diversity Recruiting where he lead the firm in its recruitment of diverse lateral partners and associates.

Marlen has been recognized by The Legal 500 – U.S. for Capital Markets: Equity Offerings – advice to Issuers and Managers, Texas Super Lawyers 2015- 2018; and as a Texas Rising Star Lawyer, 2004, 2008-2014.