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Biography

Todd’s diverse commercial litigation practice focuses on helping companies, executives, entrepreneurs, and investors resolve a wide variety of business disputes. Creative and dogged in his pursuit of effective solutions to business problems, Todd is also no stranger to the courtroom. He has successfully tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts throughout Texas, in suits involving fraudulent asset transfers, commercial real estate fraud, non-compete violations, oil and gas disputes, breaches of IT services agreements, and much more. Whether the matter involves individuals seeking a business divorce or multi-billion dollar corporations locked in a complex commercial dispute, Todd prides himself on treating his clients’ matters as if they were his own.

Todd's Relevant Experience

Recent Trial and Appellate Successes

Won $2.7 million Judgment–including $1 million in exemplary damages–after trial of a long-running business divorce.  In addition to millions in damages, the Court entered judicial declarations turning over sole control of the company to Todd’s client.

Won $40.7 million jury verdict following a three-week jury trial in a fraudulent transfer case involving the assignment of ownership interests in a portfolio of apartment complexes.  In addition to finding that transfers were made with intent to defraud creditors, the jury also found for plaintiffs on a conspiracy claim and made alter ego findings against certain defendants.

Reversal on appeal of dismissal of $33.6 million fraudulent transfer suit brought on behalf of judgment creditors against transferees of real estate sale proceeds.

$48 million judgment, affirmed on appeal, for defrauded investors in a dispute involving several failed real estate developments. (See also this article from The Dallas Morning News.)

Successful bench trial on behalf of a commercial air carrier to enforce a training expense repayment contract. The court issued a judicial declaration that a former pilot employed by the carrier was obligated to repay flight training costs, and awarded all requested attorneys’ fees.

Take-nothing judgment after trial for developer of a lucrative oil and gas lease against fraud and breach of contract claims brought by investors.

Take-nothing judgment after trial of fraudulent transfer claims brought by a major bank that sought to enforce a prior judgment by collecting the client company’s assets.

Other Notable Trial and Appellate Successes

Judgment turning over control of a helmet manufacturing company and its intellectual property to the company’s former chief executive officer.

Reversal on appeal of several bankruptcy court orders adjudicating shareholders’ equitable subordination and relative priority claims in a bankruptcy involving a major oil and gas exploration and development company.

Take-nothing Judgment in favor of a former company officer in defense of breach of fiduciary duty and related business tort claims alleging damages in excess of $8 million.

Take-nothing Judgment in favor of a major developer of wind-powered electricity in defense of a $30+ million liquidated damage claim for breach of a power purchase agreement.

$4 million Judgment, affirmed on appeal, obtained against former company officers for breach of fiduciary duty.

Successful trial of claims brought by a motion picture company for breach of a licensing agreement to exploit the Academy Award-winning film Monster.

Other Info About Todd

Education

Law School

University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2002, magna cum laude
Order of the Coif
Order of Barristers
Order of the Barons
Notes & Comments Editor, Houston Law Review
ABA Moot Court Competition National Finalist, 2001, 2002

Undergraduate School

University of Houston, B.A., 1995, cum laude

Bar Memberships

Todd is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Texas, 2002

Courts

Todd is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

State Bar of Texas

Dallas Bar Association – Business Litigation Section

American Bar Association

Firm Committees

Todd serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at FBT Gibbons:

Partner Personnel Committee, Member

Presentations

Todd was invited to speak at the following events:

CLE: “Planning for Collections and Enforcement from Day One, on Both Sides of the V,”13th Annual Course on Business Disputes, State Bar of Texas, September 2021.

Major Publications

Todd is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Published Opinion: Navigant Consulting, Inc. v. Wilkinson, 508 F.3d 277 (5th Cir. 2007).

Published Opinion: Lombardo v. Bhattacharyya, 437 S.W.3d 658 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2014).

Published Opinion: Brauss v. Triple M Holding GmbH, 411 S.W.3d 614 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2013).

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