Tod M. Leaven

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 501^st 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.