Matt Todd is a co-chair of the Licensing & Transactions practice and Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets Litigation practice and is a member of Polsinelli’s Blockchain and Web3 Steering Committee. He has over two decades of experience structuring and negotiating domestic and international complex intellectual property and technology-related transactions. In addition to his transactional experience, Matt has demonstrated knowledge in assisting clients with deploying and commercializing artificial intelligence and machine learning, blockchain and cybersecurity technologies. He has advised clients in a variety of industries including energy, semiconductor, automotive, defense, software and financial services. Matt is also one of Polsinelli’s leading authorities on open-source software use, licensing, deployment and integration.

In addition to his legal experience, Matt has more than 10 years of experience in network administration and operations.

Education

  • University of Oxford (M.B.A., 2010)
    • St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., 1998)
      • University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., 1995)
        • Accounting

      Bar Admission

      • District of Columbia, 2003
      • Virginia, 2001
      • Texas, 1998

      Professional Affiliations

      • Houston Angel Network
      • University of Oxford, Said Business School Regional Ambassador
      • University of Houston Law Center, Adjunct Professor, Privacy and Data Security Law
      Publications
      All Publications
      Guest Post — Looking Ahead: ‘The Best Time to Prep for Quantum Was 20 Years Ago…’
      Bryce Bailey and Matt Todd discuss why organizations should begin preparing for quantum computing now, arguing that quantum readiness is no longer a distant technical issue but an immediate legal, cybersecurity and governance priority. They highlight emerging risks related to post-quantum cryptography, supply chain constraints, export controls, cloud services and technology contracts, emphasizing that businesses should incorporate quantum considerations into their compliance and risk management strategies today. Bailey and Todd conclude that organizations that proactively address these challenges will be better positioned to navigate the legal and operational implications of quantum computing as the technology continues to mature.
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      U.S. and Allies Release “Careful Adoption” Guidance for Agentic AI
      Key Takeaways AI is accelerating cybersecurity threats by expanding the attack surface and enabling more sophisticated, scalable attacks, even as it offers potential defensive benefits. Last month, the limited release of new AI systems designed for cybersecurity underscored how new and fast-emerging risks are an inherent part of AI’s potential. Last week, the U.S. and its allies released guidance on how AI security risks for agentic AI systems can and should be addressed within established cybersecurity frameworks.  Industry standards for AI cybersecurity are evolving rapidly, and signals included in this guidance will shape the establishment of duties of care and legal obligations. AI is rapidly reshaping cybersecurity risk, not just as a defensive tool, but as a force multiplier for threat actors. When AI moved
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