“Clients turn to Todd 'when they have a really big national problem,’” Chambers USA reports, “because he is ‘good at understanding the client’s philosophy,’ ‘can dismantle arguments,’ and is ‘as good as anyone in the country on his feet.’”
Overview
For more than 30 years, Todd has defended major U.S. corporations against hundreds of threatened class actions, MDL proceedings and other aggregated exposures throughout the United States, with particular emphasis on matters for financial services and insurance clients. He also represents clients in complex securities litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations and proceedings involving the SEC, FINRA, state banking and insurance regulators, and state attorneys general. A member of the firm’s Board of Directors, and co-chair of its Financial Services and Insurance Industry Group, Todd is one of the most experienced trial lawyers and strategists at the firm and is regularly sought out for “bet the company” litigation throughout the country. Todd has been selected and ranked by Chambers USA each year since 2004 in litigation, selected as a “litigation star” by Benchmark each year since 2008, listed in the Power30 for business litigation each year since its inception in 2021, and listed as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” each year since 2004.
Experience
Served as lead or co-lead counsel defending putative class action litigation in nearly every state in the country. These matters primarily involved claims against the financial services and insurance industries, including claims for fraud, breach of warranty, RICO, breach of contract, consumer protection, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and state and federal statutory claims.
Defended investment companies and advisors, open and closed-end funds, and broker dealers in defense of putative securities fraud class actions, SEC, FINRA and other regulatory proceedings, individual lawsuits and arbitrations.
Defended numerous national property casualty and auto insurers in putative class actions defense challenging alleged discrimination in pricing (i.e., "redlining"), claims handling practices, total loss calculations, diminished value and other contract claims, UM and UIM sales practices, and parallel proceedings by state and federal regulatory bodies.
Defended the homeowners insurance industry defense against regulatory and class action claims that carriers are prohibited from depreciating labor on actual cash value (ACV) policies, and argued matters of first impression before the Supreme Courts of Arizona, Minnesota and Tennessee.
Defended the life insurance industry in putative class actions nationwide claiming that it is improper to include profits and expenses in the cost of insurance (COI) calculations/deductions on universal life policies.
Defended the auto insurance industry in putative class actions throughout the country challenging the manner in which total loss valuations are determined, and related claims of underpayment arising from total losses.
Defended numerous consumer class action claims under federal and state consumer protection laws including TILA, FDCPA, FCRA, FCBA, TCPA and the FACTA.
Defended loan originators and loan servicers in litigation throughout the U.S., including claims securitization of mortgages, buy-back claims, indemnity actions and other mortgage-related litigation.
Represented clients in affirmative litigation involving large-scale fraudulent schemes in financial services and insurance industries.
News & Insights
News
Publications
"Belaboring Depreciation: The 'Labor Depreciation' Class Action Tidal Wave," The Brief by American Bar Association, March 2022
Recognitions
Recognitions
Named as one of the “POWER30” for Business Litigation, Minnesota Lawyer, in each year since its inception in 2021.
Recognized each year since 2004 as one of America’s Leading Business Lawyers by Chambers USA. In a recent edition, sources say he "is an expert in financial and class action litigation matters."
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® list, 2004-2025, in the areas of business litigation, commercial litigation and insurance law and named Lawyer of the Year in 2020 & 2024
Listed each year since 2008 as a “litigation star” in Benchmark Litigation, “The Definitive Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys.”
Regularly selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers in business litigation
Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, 40-Under-40 Award Recipient, 2008
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Blake School Board of Trustees (2024 to present)
The Guthrie Theater Board of Directors (2018 to present)
The Children’s Theatre Company, Board of Directors (2013 to present)
- Board Chair (2019-2022)
WithAll (formerly the Emily Program Foundation), Board of Directors (2014-2018)
Minnesota Business Partnership Board of Directors (2016 to present)
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Education
University of Denver College of Law, J.D., Order of St. Ives (with highest honors)
St. Olaf College, B.A.
