Attorneys


Emily Adams

Partner

Freyja Johnson

Partner

Sara Pfrommer

Appellate Attorney, Of Counsel

Rachel Phillips Ainscough

Appellate Attorney

Heather Ellison

Appellate Attorney

Anna Grigsby

Appellate Attorney

Jessica Holzer

Appellate Attorney

Hannah Leavitt-Howell

Appellate Attorney

Mikayla Irvin

Appellate Attorney

MJ Townsend

Appellate Attorney

Brittany Urness

Appellate Attorney
MJ Townsend

MJ Townsend

Appellate Attorney


mtownsend@theappellategroup.com

MJ represents clients through all stages of the appellate process. She is well-versed in appellate strategy and is passionate about ensuring her clients’ stories are told accurately and persuasively on paper and in person.

MJ joined the firm after clerking for Judge Ryan D. Tenney on the Utah Court of Appeals. Prior to that, she graduated from BYU Law School having served on both the BYU Law Review and Journal of Public Law. During law school, MJ represented BYU Law in national moot court competitions contemplating criminal procedure and constitutional law. MJ also externed for Chief Justice Durrant on the Utah Supreme Court and Judge David Sam on the United States District Court, District of Utah.

When MJ’s not working, you can find her on the soccer field or pickleball court. She enjoys cold plunges in the mountains and (less cold) plunges at the beach. And she’s hoping Survivor will call her back one of these days.

Education

Brigham Young University
J.D., cum laude
Editor, BYU Law Review
Executive Editor, BYU Journal of Public Law

Brigham Young University
B.S., Environmental Science

Clerkships

Utah Court of Appeals, Judge Ryan D. Tenney

Admissions

Utah

Awards

2024 Mountain State Rising Star

A.H. Christiansen Memorial Award of Excellence in Advocacy

J. Reuben Clark Award

Professional Involvement

Utah Appellate Roster for Indigent Criminal Appeals

Brigham Young University, Adjunct Faculty

Women Lawyers of Utah

Young Lawyer Division, CLE Committee Chair (2023-24)

BYU Law Alumni Board Member (2021-22)