About Todd T. Cardiff

Originally from Davis, California, Todd received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree (1995) from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, California, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He received his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law (2002), where he graduated Cum Laude and was Executive Editor of the International Law Journal.

Todd came into law after a career in the construction and industrial fields that took him all over the world. His past experience includes working in the oil fields of New Mexico, working as an iron worker in Antarctica; a coast-to-coast truck driver; and working as a welder for a tugboat company in Central California. However, his passion has always been the coast and coastal protection.

Todd’s longstanding commitment to community service and the environment is evident through his leadership with the Surfrider Foundation. Todd served as the San Luis Bay Chapter’s Vice Chair from 1995-1999, as a member of the San Diego Chapter’s Executive Committee in 2000-2003, and as Chairman of the San Diego Chapter in 2005. He is now a legal advisor and member of the Advisory Board for the San Diego Chapter.

Todd is known throughout the California coast for his efforts to curb the proliferation of shoreline armoring construction. His publication Conflict in the California Coastal Act: Sand and Seawalls (38 Cal. Western Law Review 255 (2002)) has been the basis for both litigation and statewide legislation challenging the ability of the California Coastal Commission to approve seawalls for structures built after establishment of the California Coastal Act.