Brad Valley (3L)

Privileged upbringing and private school education led him to law school.

Todd Smith was only 16 when he knew he wanted to work in the corporate world. “The Great Recession had just happened and the economy was in rough shape. The media was reporting on how all those responsible were avoiding penalties. It was unbelievable. I literally couldn’t believe how much these lawyers and executives were making.”

Since then, Todd has pursued his passion for the markets with relentless zeal. First, by obtaining a degree in business administration from the Ivey School of Business at Western, and now by working toward a law degree at the University of Toronto. “I’ve always had an interest in money, and how it is used to gain power and exercise control over those with less. Going to U of T Law seemed like a natural next step.”

Outside the classroom, Todd is an amateur ornithologist—though he prefers the term “twitcher”—and is actively involved in his community. At press time, he had spent the past 78 days donating his time to his local MP’s failed campaign. “It’s really about networking. We are all trying to be part of an elite, insular, and incestuous community, so I thought I would get a head start by shaking hands and earning favours from powerful men.”

Todd hopes to continue his political engagement at the law school. He said that a run for Students’ Law Society president may be on the cards. “I think I would perfectly represent the U of T Law student body. I would focus on issues that affect all law students instead of policies that affect only certain segments, like financial aid.”

The son of a lawyer and a CFO from Leaside, Todd is a first-generation University of Toronto Law student. “My parents are just happy they don’t have to pay $40,000 a year like they did for my K-12 years!”

Todd recently completed an internship at a corporate law firm that represents his dad’s employer. He said that he felt at home within the firm’s culture and is looking forward to in-firm interviews and finding the perfect Bay Street firm. Todd encourages students worried about job prospects to just be themselves and act as they would at the golf course or country club.

The Faculty’s Macleans ranking, and the option for the combined JD/MBA program, attracted him to this law school. “Law is fascinating because it allows you to greatly profit off the work of others, without rolling up your sleeves yourself. A year at Rotman gives me a great way to meet future members of the business community and begin marketing my personal brand.”

However, don’t think he came to this prestigious institution just for the prestige. He was also attracted to its diversity in students. “I’ve met people from the upper-middle and upper class, from Queen’s and McGill. And a black guy!” As for the faculty, “There are adjuncts from all seven of the Sisters!”

For Todd, a law degree from U of T means he has the power to choose his career and he plans to stay open to different career paths. “I can see myself doing mergers, but I can also picture myself working on acquisitions.”