Following extensive work focused on the protection of coastal wildlife, Sara Townsend recently received her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. During her time at Santa Clara, Sara Townsend participated in the California Bar Student Environmental Negotiations Competition, a unique version of the moot court competitions for which law students strive to qualify. Moot court competitions are a longstanding tradition in the legal world, but the most recent iteration of the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition featured a surprise finish. Among the contestants were 80 law students from universities across the globe who converged on the United Nations in Geneva to argue international law cases. The surprise victors turned out to be a team of undergraduates from St. Thomas University (STU), a small American college. After narrowly defeating Oxford University’s team in the semifinals, STU triumphed over the University of Buenos Aires to complete the stunning upset. According to CBC news, the team’s success earned each member a scholarship to attend an academy focused on human rights at Lucerne University in Switzerland.
Recent Santa Clara University law school graduate Sara Townsend practices Pilates in her free time, a routine which not only strengthens the body, but can create energy and help clear the mind. One of many seeing its potential, Sara Townsend finds tranquility and escape in this ever-growing fitness regimen.The positive physical effects of Pilates are numerous, ranging from increased muscle tone and a healthier nervous system to better posture and increased flexibility. While much of the focus of Pilates is on the core of the body, it can greatly relieve back pain by stabilizing the lower back region, after practice for only a few short weeks. Mentally and emotionally, Pilates has a powerful effect on stress and anxiety by relaxing the muscles through gentle stretching, and metabolizing those stress hormones by the cardio portion of the exercises. Endorphins released during this period will also improve one’s mood and contribute to creativity. Some of the scientifically proven effects of Pilates include better sleep, reduced negative emotions, lower blood pressure, and improved cardiovascular health.
Recent Santa Clara University School of Law graduate Sara Townsend focused her education on intellectual property law. While in school, Sara Townsend served as the managing editor of the Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal and won the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Remedies in 2015.Awarded by the Witkin Legal Institute at Thomson Reuters, the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence award program is available only to accredited law schools in California that have agreed to participate in the program. Participating schools must have not only received accreditation from either the State Bar of California or the ABA, but also a designated award administrator.At the end of each semester or term, the award administrator submits the names of students who received the highest grade in a qualifying course. These courses include civil procedure, ethics, family law, bankruptcy, and remedies. When two students tie for the highest grade, award administrators must examine attendance and class performance, along with overall grade point average, to determine a single winner. Meanwhile, individual students who receive the highest grade in multiple qualifying courses can receive more than one Witkin Award.Once winners are selected, administrators submit the list with each student’s full name and the title of the course for which he or she earned the award. Certificates are then mailed to the school with each student’s name and course and distributed to students as each academic institution sees fit.
A graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law, Sara Townsend served as the managing editor of the Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal. Committed to the welfare of animals, Sara Townsend volunteered with the local Dog Adoption & Welfare Group (DAWG) while attending the University of California, Santa Barbara.With the goal of reducing euthanasia rates at shelters in Santa Barbara County, DAWG offers canines a secure, loving environment and spearheads outreach efforts focused on permanent adoption. The organization seeks to encourage adoption by providing necessary medical care and training for the dogs in its facilities. DAWG accepts homeless dogs without regard to gender, disability, breed, or age. Over the last 25 years, DAWG has helped to prevent the needless death of thousands of dogs in the Santa Barbara community. With the support of its volunteers, the organization has built kennels, quarantine areas, surgical rooms, exercise yards, and a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic to help care for dogs in its care. To learn more about DAWG and how you can support the organization, visit sbdawg.org.
Sara Townsend, a top law student at Santa Clara University School of Law, founded Lajas Loves in 2012. Prior to enrolling at Santa Clara, Sara Townsend achieved a master of arts in marine affairs and policy from the University of Miami. She holds undergraduate degrees in environmental studies and ecology and evolution from the University of California, Santa Barbara.Lajas Loves is an animal welfare organization providing grants to areas needing veterinary clinics throughout the Cobano, Costa Rica, region. The first Lajas Loves grant was made to the Coopecobano R.L. Veterinary Clinic, the only veterinary resource for pet owners in the entire 200 square-mile district.Thanks to the dedicated Lajas Loves team, this veterinary clinic has been able to offer a number of vital services to both homeless animals and pets whose owners cannot afford necessary medical treatment. A few of the services and procedures made possible by Lajas Loves include vaccinations, finding homes for homeless animals, and a spay and neuter program that includes surgical operations as well as educational material for owners regarding unexpected pregnancies and disease prevention.Pets and their owners are not the only beneficiaries of Lajas Loves. Grants have helped reduce the number of homeless animals populating the streets and mitigated the spread of serious illnesses such as Ehrlichia canis. To learn more about Lajas Loves or to make a contribution, please visit www.lajasloves.com.
