Tod M. Leaven

Tod-Leaven-GTA-Attorney

Partner

Download Contact Information
(P) 828-251-0800
(F) 828-236-9200
tleaven@gtalaw.net

Tod M. Leaven was born into a family of service - he, his father, and his grandfather all served abroad in the United States Army.  His service continues today, from serving the city directly by sitting on federal, city, and non-profit boards to serving the city’s underrepresented communities by establishing a free legal clinic for homeless Veterans.  A large portion of Tod’s practice is dedicated to providing pro-bono legal services.

Tod went to elementary school in Asheville and returned to Asheville with his parents after graduating high school. Tod served in the United States Army from 1998 to 2004, including the initial Kosovo Occupation with the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion, 1st Armored Division, and the Iraq War with the 3rd Squadron of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.  After his years of service, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2006 and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2010. In law school, he served on the North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology as a staff member and as Editor-in-Chief. Tod practiced in Raleigh before returning to Asheville to work with a civil litigation firm. He joined Grimes Teich Anderson in 2014 to develop its Veterans practice.

Tod was selected for inclusion in the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars® list for Military and Veterans Law. Tod received the Attorney for Justice Award from the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Access to Justice Commission for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono service in Tennessee in 2021 and 2022.

Tod is currently an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina School of Law, teaching Veterans Benefits and assisting in its Military and Veterans Law Clinic.  He has authored and co-authored numerous publications ranging from Veterans and military affairs to intellectual property. He frequently gives lectures and CLEs on the many facets of Veterans law, specializing in advanced techniques for Veterans disability compensation. He founded and still runs the annual GTA Homeless Veteran Legal Clinic, which provides free legal services to homeless Veterans in Western North Carolina. He has been an active member and line officer with the Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Carolina. He is a member of local, state-wide, and national Veterans' advocacy groups; and is a member of the local board of the Selective Service System. Tod served as a board member on the Asheville City Noise Ordinance Appeals Board.  Tod also has a passion for local performing arts.  He currently serves as a board member for both the Montford Park Players and the Asheville Chamber Music Series.

Tod, his wife Jessica, and their daughters Hannah, Eleanor, and Abigail live in Asheville.

Education

  • J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2010
  • B.S., University of North Carolina at Asheville, 2006
    Summa Cum Laude, Biology Department Distinction, Outstanding Scholarship in the Humanities Award

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina State Bar, 2010
  • Tennessee State Bar, 2020
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, 2011
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2015
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 2011
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina , 2010
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 2011
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, 2011
  • Accredited to practice before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2011

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

  • 28th Judicial Bar Association
    Member Since: 2012
  • North Carolina Bar Association
    Member Since: 2011
    Council Member and Chair of Communications Committee, Military and Veterans Law Section, 2017-present; Military Issues Committee, Young Lawyers Division, 2011-2013; Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, 2015-2017
  • Grimes Teich Anderson Homeless Veterans Legal Clinic
    Member Since: 2016
    Founder and Lead Supervising Attorney, 2016-present
  • The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
    Member Since: 2017
    Volunteer Attorney, 2017-present
  • Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court
    Member Since: 2014
    Steering Committee, 2015
  • North Carolina Veterans Legal Representation Network
    Member Since: 2011
    Advisory Committee, 2011-2017
  • Disabled American Veterans
    Member Since: 2013
    Senior Vice Commander; 2nd Junior Vice Commander, Department of North Carolina, 2017-2018; Junior Vice Commander, NC Post 02, 2015-2017; Legislative Committee Chair, NC Post 02, 2013-2015
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
    Member Since: 2011
    Judge Advocate, Post 9100, 2011-2012
  • North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology
    Member Since: 2008
    Staff, 2008-2009; Editor-in-Chief, 2009-2010; Board of Advisors, 2010-2015
  • Asheville Lyric Opera
    Board of Directors, 2012-2015; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, 2013-2015
  • Asheville City Noise Ordinance Appeals Board
    Member Since: 2015
    Board Member, 2015-present

Recognition

  • 2021 and 2022 Attorney for Justice Award from the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Access to Justice Commission
  • Super Lawyers® Rising Stars - Military Law 2017-2020

If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident in North Carolina or South Carolina, contact Grimes Teich An­derson LLP today and request your free case evaluation.

Grimes Teich Anderson LLP has law offices located in Asheville, Rutherfordton, Waynesville and Spruce Pine, North Caroli­na and Greenville, South Carolina. Call Grimes Teich Anderson today at 800-533-6845 or complete our free case evaluation form online.

*Every case is different and may have a different result.

Tod-Leaven-GTA-Attorney

I am a disabled Veteran myself.  First and foremost, I want all Veterans to know that I get it. I really get it.  I know exactly what you are going through because not only did I go through it myself, but I have dedicated my career to helping our brothers and sisters get the benefits they have earned.  Helping fellow Veterans get their benefits is a deeply personal calling and the way I continue serving this great nation.

Tod signature
Rated By Super Lawyers logo
AfJ Seal 2021(2)

"I made a wise decision in choosing Grimes Teich Anderson to handle my personal injury claim. I would recommend them to anyone who finds themselves battling an insurance company that doesn’t care that you’re injured and in a bind. Great job guys."

Paul W.

Client

"Great experience having GTA handle my case. I will recommend them to all my friends and family. Very professional and knowledgeable about workers compensation law."

Rusty G.

Client

"What a great group to work with. Grimes Teich Anderson are very knowledgeable and take the time to go over everything and explain the process clearly to make sure you get the most you deserve. I highly recommend this firm."

Colleen M.

Client

Fighting For Your Legal Rights, Right By Your Side. Contact Our Law Offices Today.

To fully recover from an accident, you need an aggressive legal team that does not rest until they get the results you want and need. At Grimes Teich Anderson, our experienced team remains available to you 24/7. If you have questions about an injury or disability matter, contact us today.

Send a Message

* Required
Contact Form - Condensed

No attorney client relationship is formed with the submission of this contact form. Privacy Policy.

Office location map
We have multiple locations in the Carolinas to serve you

Grimes Teich Anderson is open for business during Covid 19. We offer free injury consultations and can get started on your case electronically.

ASHEVILLE OFFICE

535 College St.
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828.251.0800

FRANKLIN OFFICE

244 Porter Street Suite D
Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: 828.564.2488

RUTHERFORDTON OFFICE

117 Laurel Dr
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Phone: 828.286.1033

SPRUCE PINE OFFICE

12474 S. Hwy 226
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Phone: 828.766.7700

WAYNESVILLE OFFICE

385 N Haywood St.
Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: 828.452.7888

GREENVILLE OFFICE

111 E North St.
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864.421.0770

*Each case is different, so not all information on this website, as well as some which may not be provided, will apply to every case. Because the facts and relevant laws are different from case to case, Grimes Teich Anderson does not guarantee that the outcome, results, or experiences with one lawyer or one case will be similar to another.

Except for Employment Law Cases, Attorney's fees are a percentage of the entire recovery and will be deducted before other expenses. In addition to the fee in these cases, Client will be responsible for litigation expenses, which will either be deducted from the recovery or paid by the client. Some Employment Law Cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis and others handled on an hourly basis, where the client is billed for the hours spent on the case. Based on our experience, we will advise you of the most appropriate fee arrangement in Employment Law cases.

Material on this website is for information purposes and is not legal advice.

Scroll to Top
Skip to content