Todd Cavanaugh is a civil litigator and trial attorney with expertise in product liability, toxic tort, and business litigation.
Licensed to practice in California, Nevada, and Washington, his experience includes all aspects of litigation, from administrative proceedings to mediation to trials and appeals. For more than 15 years, he has defended the interests of manufacturers and excess insurers in cases venued in state and federal courts in more than a dozen states.
In product liability litigation, Mr. Cavanaugh has defended the design, manufacture, and performance of a diverse array of products made by some of the world's largest manufacturers. These products include automobiles, construction equipment, tires, automotive friction products, industrial machinery, and power generators. He also coordinated and executed a nationwide product liability resolution program for a major automobile manufacturer.
Mr. Cavanaugh has achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV rating, and has been recognized by Law & Politics as a 2014–2018 Southern California Super Lawyer. He has lectured on topics including jury selection, principles of contribution and indemnity, and strategies for overcoming the threat of joint liability. His publications include “Tumble v. Cascade Bicycle Corp.: A Hypothetical Case Under the Restatement (Third) of Torts,” published in the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.
Mr. Cavanaugh was born and raised in Minnesota, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin in 1990. In 1995, he graduated summa cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he served as executive editor of the William Mitchell Law Review. From 1995 to 1997, he was managing editor of the Journal of Products and Toxics Liability.
Prior to joining James Yukevich, he practiced at Perkins Coie in Seattle, Washington, where his practice focused on the defense of aircraft manufacturers.
Representative Matters
• Linares v. Crown Equipment Corporation – Read Details
United States District Court, Riverside, CA – February 28, 2018
• Runflat America, LLC v. Michelin North America, Inc. et al. – Read Details
Stanley Mosk Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA – December 18, 2012
• McGowan v. Par 3 Landscape Corporation – Read Details
Las Vegas Justice Center, Las Vegas, NV
• Deal v. Michelin North America, Inc. – Read Details
United States District Court, Las Vegas, NV – April 21, 2009
• Jones v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – Read Details
Central Civil West Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA – March 13, 2009
• Gaudry v. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. – Read Details
Burbank Superior Court, Burbank, CA – December 24, 2007
• Arroyo v. Ford Motor Company – Read Details
Miami-Dade County Court, Miami, FL – October 2, 2007
• Pineda v. Deere & Company – Read Details
Chatsworth Superior Court, Chatsworth, CA – April 6, 2007
• Tepei v. Michelin North America – Read Details
Lewis County Court, Chehalis, WA – April 23, 2004
• Watts v. Ford Motor Company – Read Details
Sacramento County Superior Court, Sacramento, CA – October 1, 2003
Associations
California Bar Association
Nevada Bar Association
Washington Bar Association
American Bar Association
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
