In 1994, former government insider Todd Foster joined forces with Barry A. Cohen and Christopher Jayson to create Cohen, Jayson & Foster. At the firm, Todd puts his trial skills and unique background to work defending businesses and individuals in an array of criminal and civil matters. His record of success is marked by high-profile courtroom victories, as well as the governmental investigations he quietly and favorably resolves for his clients before they reach the level of an indictment.
Todd’s experience as an FBI agent, and federal and state prosecutor sets him apart from other criminal defense attorneys. He started his career as an assistant state attorney in Jacksonville, after which he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent. During his tenure at the FBI, Todd learned the intricacies of complex white-collar crimes and gained insight into how the government conducts probes of suspected criminal activity. He participated in many high-level investigations and received several commendations for his superior performance and valor in the field.
From 1986 to 1994, Todd worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, first in Houston and later in Tampa, where he rose to become Chief of the Major Crimes/Fraud Section. As a federal prosecutor, Todd handled some of the largest fraud and racketeering investigations in either region, including the prosecution of a Mexican drug and money laundering ring that involved a trial of over 40 individuals over six months in federal district court. Todd also tried and convicted three Tampa bankers on conspiracy and bank fraud charges stemming from a check-kiting scheme that caused the now-defunct Commerce Bank of Tampa to fail. His creativity and versatility allowed him to successfully try and convict a notoriously violent criminal on federal gun charges, even though the firearm in question was never recovered. Over his career in government service, Todd supervised and personally prosecuted a variety of cases, including violations of bank fraud, health care fraud, wire and mail fraud, tax fraud, money laundering and conspiracy statutes.
At the firm, Todd has put his trial skills to use in several significant criminal cases. He was integral in undoing the government’s case against Steven and Marlene Aisenberg, who were accused of lying about the 1997 disappearance of their infant daughter. His cross-examination and methodical dismantling of the government’s expert witness on wiretaps was nationally heralded for its effectiveness. Todd also led the defense team in winning the acquittal of a corporation and two owners charged in federal district court with allowing illegal drug sales and distribution to be conducted at its popular nightclub, which was billed as the largest nightclub in the United States. Todd is also adept at keeping his clients out of the news. In one recent matter, a client suspected of a $30 million Internet fraud turned to the firm on the eve of indictment. Within months, federal investigators and prosecutors were convinced to decline prosecution, something the client’s predecessor law firm, a national firm of over 1,000 attorneys, had been unable to do. Todd has successfully defended a multitude of other clients, including judges, lawyers, doctors and business professionals in a wide-range of matters, including securities fraud, Medicare fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.
Todd has published a number of articles on a diverse range of legal topics, including the defense of corporations in criminal cases and practice under the federal sentencing guidelines. He is also a frequent lecturer on trial advocacy, ethics and federal procedure. He has been a featured speaker to various bar groups across the continent, including groups in Canada, Mexico, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, Texas and Maine. Todd serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, an organization comprised of over 11,000 criminal defense lawyers around the world.