Profile
Todd Neal has 30 years of litigation experience. He focuses on high stakes corporate and commercial litigation, and defense of clients in government investigations. His corporate and commercial litigation practice involves handling complex business conflicts, including contractual disputes, trade secrets claims, fraud allegations and defense of securities fraud class actions. He has defended clients against multimillion-dollar claims and tried more than 35 cases to verdict.
Todd also defends clients in government investigations, including actions brought by agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Concentrations
- Commercial Litigation
- Trade Secrets Claims
- Products Liability & Mass Torts
- Financial Services Litigation
- Defamation Claims
- Securities fraud class actions
- Defense of SEC enforcement actions
Capabilities
Experience
- Obtained dismissal and stay of class action suit alleging that client’s products were illegally labeled as “dietary supplements” under federal law. The court’s ruling adopted the defense argument that the claims were precluded by the primary jurisdiction doctrine and by lack of constitutional standing.°
- Defended real estate developer against allegations of fraudulent transfer and other claims seeking to set aside a $32 million real estate transaction. Despite filing four complaints or amended complaints the plaintiff did not survive the pleading phase and the case was dismissed. The court also awarded the client over $230,000 in attorneys fees and costs.°
- Prevailed on all claims in international arbitration conducted by AAA resulting in full recovery by client for claims based on breach of joint venture agreement relating to gold mining operation in Nayarit, Mexico.°
- Represented LLC that was sued for $10 million after selling commercial building for $36 million. Claims included breach of contract and various fraud claims. Case resolved without the client paying any amount toward settlement.°
- Prevailed on all claims after arbitration of dispute between members of limited liability company that owned and sold commercial office building in downtown San Diego. After a contested arbitration proceeding before the American Arbitration Association, Todd’s clients were awarded 75% ownership and defeated co-members’ claim of 50/50 ownership. Todd’s clients also defeated claims of mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty.°
- Prevailed on motion to dismiss based on the doctrine of forum non conveniens on behalf of international women’s shoe manufacturer against claims brought by joint venture partner who sought to bring claims in California alleging breach of contract and violation of intellectual property rights.°
- Obtained multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of international vitamin manufacturer in Trade Libel action, further resulting in the removal of multiple URLs containing defamatory material from Google search results.°
- Defended a client sued for $12 million for fraud, breach of fiduciary, and breach of contract. After two weeks of trial, the case settled for 5% of the demand.°
- Defended Taiwanese electronic parts manufacturer against $30 million fraud and kickback claim brought by national big box retailer. Client paid nothing on the claims against it and recovered a multimillion-dollar breach of contract settlement.°
- Represented a director and member of the audit committee of a large publicly traded company specializing in the sale of walnuts. Obtained dismissal of securities fraud action under the Securities Exchange Act. Although SEC charges were filed against the company and certain individuals, Todd was successful in persuading the SEC not to charge his client.°
- Obtained a $3 million settlement for a manufacturer’s representative working on behalf of a manufacturer providing OEM services to a well-known sporting goods brand. The suit was brought under the Independent Wholesale Sales Representatives Contractual Relations Act.°
- Defended prominent sports agent sued by a former professional football player over his investment losses. The case settled for less than 3% of the amount claimed.°
- Persuaded the SEC not to pursue securities violations charges against Todd’s client, a publicly traded company.°
- Obtained a defense verdict on all causes of action for a client who was sued after investing in certain LLCs created for residential development projects.°
- Represented a medical aesthetics company that was forced to sue its former co-founders due to their attempts to regain control of the company following their receipt of separation payments to step down as directors and officers.°
- On behalf of well-known movie director, obtained reversal of conviction for making false statements to the FBI and sentence was vacated. S. v. McTiernan 546 F.3d 1160.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Neal prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense-White Collar, and Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, 2016-Present
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2012-2019, 2023-2025
- Listed, San Diego Magazine, “Top Lawyers,” 2014-Present
- Finalist, San Diego Business Journal, “Leaders in Law,” 2019
- Listed, AmLaw Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property Law, 2018
- Listed, San Diego Business Journal, “Best of the Bar,” 2013-2016
- Listed, San Diego Daily Transcript, “Top Attorney,” 2013
- Rated, AV Preeminent® 0 out of 5.0
- President of Board of Governors, Rancho Sante Fe Golf Club, 2022-Present
- Board of Directors, Meritas, 2018-2021
- Member, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2002-Present
- Member, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, 2000-Present
- Member, Rancho Santa Fe Little League Field Club, 2014-2020
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of Illinois Chicago John Marshall Law School
- B.A., University of California at Irvine
Admissions
- California
- Illinois