Todd Theodora specializes in trying complex business cases before juries, judges and arbitrators. He has been practicing law for more than 23 years, and resides in the firm's Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Todd's main practice areas include business and tort litigation, and strategic business advice.
Todd practices in every area of business and commercial litigation such as antitrust, unfair competition, securities, employment practices, eminent domain, water rights, intellectual property, unfair business practices, construction, tax, partnership dissolution, and shareholder disputes. He also practices in tort litigation areas such as product liability, environmental liability, defamation and "business" torts. He is particularly well-versed in handling complex litigation and class actions.
Todd represents private and public companies of all sizes, including many of the nation's and world's largest organizations. His clients conduct business in a broad array of sectors such as real estate, health care, technology, sports, news and information, entertainment, banking, lending, construction, financial services, professional services, manufacturing, retail and distribution. He also represents numerous large governmental entities and agencies.
Todd has been lead counsel in many high profile matters, and is also well versed in defending "bet the company" cases. He has been featured on network television, and portrayed in national news magazines including Newsweek, Time, US News and World Report, and Life in connection with his handling of litigation and legal issues of national consequence.
Todd served as trial counsel for the Angels baseball team in the suit brought by the City of Anaheim against the Club concerning the team's use of the name "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim." The City also sought more than $300 million in damages against the team. He obtained a defense jury verdict for the Club.
In another high profile case, Todd served as lead trial counsel for The Orange County Register newspaper and its parent, Freedom Communications. The case, a class action brought by over 5,000 home delivery newspaper carriers, centered around alleged wage and hour violations and the question of whether the carriers have been improperly classified as independent contractors, instead of employees. The carriers sought a finding that they are employees and they claimed over $100 million in damages. After two months of trial, Todd's clients achieved a successful settlement, with the carriers agreeing to remain as independent contractors.
Todd was also one of the attorneys who represented Monica Lewinsky in the President Bill Clinton matter.
Todd retains and supervises lawyers throughout the country on behalf of his clients for whom he serves as National Counsel or Regional Counsel.
Todd has worked closely with the Arnold Schwarzenegger administration, and was a part of the team that brought about workers' compensation reform in California in 2004.
Todd regularly advises elected officials on issues affecting businesses, education and public policy.
Faculty Positions/Speaking Engagements
Todd is on the faculty of the Advocacy Skills Workshop at Stanford Law School. By election of the student participants, he serves as the Advisor to Stanford's successful traveling Mock Trial team. He has also been featured in Stanford Lawyer magazine for his leadership with the school's Mock Trial and Advocacy Programs.
Todd is a frequent lecturer on trial advocacy and has been selected to participate in Masters in Trial programs affiliated with the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Professional Qualifications and Memberships
Todd is admitted to practice in California. He is also admitted to practice before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Courts for the Central, Southern and Northern Districts of California. He is active in the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
In a polling of Southern California attorneys during a recent survey, Todd was voted one of the top 50 lawyers in Orange County, California. He has been named on a number of "Best" lists featuring California's top attorneys. The Daily Journal once named him to its list of California's Top 20 Attorneys Under the Age of 40. In addition, he has been recognized by the Daily Journal as a leader in the California Trial Bar. In a feature article the Daily Journal noted, "Recognized by industry insiders as tops in his field, Theodora thrives on trial work."
According to the Daily Journal, he won the swiftest jury verdict in a civil case ever handed down on behalf of a defendant in one of Los Angeles County's busiest Superior Courts.
Todd is on the Board of Directors of the Tiger Woods Learning Center, and he chairs the Earl Woods Scholar Mentor Committee. He is active in a number of other civic organizations and charities.
Todd is listed in Best Lawyers In America, and has a peer review rating of "AV" with Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating.
Education
Todd received his BA from California State University at Long Beach, where he was captain of the surfing team, and his JD from the University of San Diego. While in college and law school he achieved a number of academic honors.
AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.