Ted Townsend Joins Law Firm Adams & Reese

Former Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Ted Townsend is now serving as a public policy advisor at the firm.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern architectural bridge segment connecting to a formal pillar, representing economic development and policy. — Ted Townsend has joined Adams & Reese as a public policy advisor, focusing on economic development and government relations for the firm. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does the movement of leaders between government-connected entities and private firms hurt public trust?

Ted Townsend has joined the law firm Adams & Reese to work as a public policy advisor. He will focus on economic development and government relations within the firm's Intersection of Business & Government practice.

Why it matters

Townsend brings significant experience in regional economic development to the firm, having previously led the Greater Memphis Chamber through major industrial projects.

Townsend previously led the Greater Memphis Chamber as CEO starting in 2022 and managed multiple high-profile economic development projects. His tenure included reports of pay increases and successful recruitment efforts for major regional ventures.

The players

Ted Townsend

He is a former CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber who now serves as a public policy advisor at Adams & Reese.

Adams & Reese

This is a law firm that employs an Intersection of Business & Government practice to advise on public-private partnerships.

Greater Memphis Chamber

This organization works to promote regional economic development and business growth in the Memphis area.

The details

Townsend provides expertise on public-private partnerships, economic incentives, and public funding strategies for clients. His career in Memphis includes notable work on the Interstate 55 bridge funding, the Ford Blue Oval City project in Haywood County, and the xAI supercomputer facility.

Townsend was appointed as Chamber CEO in 2022.
Townsend announced the xAI supercomputer project in 2024.
Townsend resigned from the Greater Memphis Chamber in April 2026.
Adams & Reese announced Townsend joining the firm on October 26, 2026.

Market Landscape

Townsend's move follows his work on large-scale initiatives like the development of Ford's Blue Oval City in Haywood County. This transition shifts institutional knowledge from regional chamber leadership directly into the legal and advisory sector.

Clients seeking expertise in local economic incentives and government relations may now engage with Townsend for strategic advisory services. This hiring suggests Adams & Reese is positioning itself to capture more complex public-private partnership work in the region.

The takeaway

Townsend's move reflects a career transition from public-facing economic advocacy to private-sector legal and policy consulting. Readers can track how these high-level personnel changes influence regional development priorities and government relations strategies.