| Copyright 2007 National Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project, Inc. |
Thomas N. Todd, Esquire
Attorney Thomas N. Todd is an activist, widely
known as TNT for his dynamic oratorical skills. He
received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
from Southern University at Baton Rouge,
Louisiana in 1959. Todd continued to Southern
University's School of Law, graduating magna cum
laude in 1963.
Attorney Todd served as a lawyer in the U.S.
Army from 1964 to 1967 and joined the staff of
the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, Illinois in
Attorney Thomas N. Todd is an activist, widely
known as TNT for his dynamic oratorical skills. He
received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
from Southern University at Baton Rouge,
Louisiana in 1959. Todd continued to Southern
University's School of Law, graduating magna cum
laude in 1963.
Attorney Todd served as a lawyer in the U.S.
Army from 1964 to 1967 and joined the staff of
the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, Illinois in
1967. In that capacity, Todd made history by developing in 1968 the first criminal case against a Chicago
policeman for deprivation of an individual's civil rights. The case, United States v. Gorman, ended with a
hung jury in 1971.
In 1969, attorney Todd organized and established the first Civil Rights Office in a local U.S. Attorney's
Office. He was the first full-time, African American law professor at Northwestern University’s School of
Law in Chicago, Illinois. Todd taught at the law school from 1970 to 1974. He has been admitted to
practice law before many courts, including the Louisiana Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Military
Appeals, The Illinois Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
A powerful spokesman for civil rights, attorney Todd was president of the Chicago chapter of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference in 1971 and president of Operation PUSH from 1983 to 1984. During
the 1983 and 1987 mayoral campaigns of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Todd's oratory was
often used to warm up the crowd prior to Washington's arrival.
Semi-retired and the recipient of more than 500 awards and honorary degrees, Todd is one of the most
electrifying commencement speakers on historically Black college campuses. His input is often sought by
news publications on matters of national importance, particularly as they relate to African Americans.
Todd and his wife, Janis, live in Chicago and have two daughters.
policeman for deprivation of an individual's civil rights. The case, United States v. Gorman, ended with a
hung jury in 1971.
In 1969, attorney Todd organized and established the first Civil Rights Office in a local U.S. Attorney's
Office. He was the first full-time, African American law professor at Northwestern University’s School of
Law in Chicago, Illinois. Todd taught at the law school from 1970 to 1974. He has been admitted to
practice law before many courts, including the Louisiana Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Military
Appeals, The Illinois Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
A powerful spokesman for civil rights, attorney Todd was president of the Chicago chapter of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference in 1971 and president of Operation PUSH from 1983 to 1984. During
the 1983 and 1987 mayoral campaigns of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Todd's oratory was
often used to warm up the crowd prior to Washington's arrival.
Semi-retired and the recipient of more than 500 awards and honorary degrees, Todd is one of the most
electrifying commencement speakers on historically Black college campuses. His input is often sought by
news publications on matters of national importance, particularly as they relate to African Americans.
Todd and his wife, Janis, live in Chicago and have two daughters.
 |