Todd dedicates his practice to serving as mediator in litigated and non-litigated matters with an emphasis on employment disputes including claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblower, and Labor Code 1102.5, as well as wage and hour class actions and PAGA actions.

Todd began practicing law as an associate in the employment law department of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. Later he formed the legal partnership of Helmer • Smith, which represented individual and business clients in various personal injury, civil rights, intellectual property, and business matters with a particular focus on litigating workplace disputes including discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and ADA actions. He has experience litigating in both state and federal court, and has resolved scores of cases via trial, arbitration, and mediation, including a $1.9 million judgment in an age discrimination suit upheld by the California Supreme Court.

Todd is a proud Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators. He has received mediation training on both coasts -- including Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution on the West and Linda Singer and Michael Lewis on the East. He was the former co-chair of both the San Fernando Valley Bar Association ADR Section and Beverly Hills Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section.

In addition to his mediation practice, Todd has been teaching employment law for many years in the Los Angeles area as an adjunct Professor. He has taught at both Southwestern Law School as well as UCLA Law School. Todd is also a frequent speaker and enthusiastic supporter of Mediation.

 

 
 
©2003 Todd A. Smith ESQ. All Rights Reserved.