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Meet Your Neighbor: Todd L. Moody
By Callie Thomas
It was a scene that could easily have been played out in any law drama on TV. A young lawyer sinks into the comfortable leather chair behind an immaculate desk in his newly appointed office, pleased with himself after passing the bar. Visions of the tough, compelling cases that are sure to pave the way to a brilliant legal career flash before him, just as the all knowing senior partner saunters in and gleefully dumps a banker’s box full of cases onto the desk. While the bubble may have been burst for many, 89144 resident Todd Moody had a different reaction.
In 1994, Moody was the young attorney that accepted the senior partner’s “welcome” in the form of several adoption cases. He soon found himself immersed in Family Law and loving it. Nearly two decades later, Moody is still passionate about his work and has been influential in helping create new families throughout the community, along with his ongoing commitment to working with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Jewish Family Services, LDS Family Services and Premier Adoption. Moody is also one of just three attorneys in southern Nevada authorized to finalize adoptions for special needs children for Clark County. His passion for kids is evident as he also relishes his appointment as an executive board member for both the Las Vegas Area Council and Western Region for Boy Scouts of America. In his spare time, he’s a super sleuth of sorts, connecting the dots by studying family history through his involvement with the National Genealogical Society, which is sometimes less enthusiastically appreciated by his four children Johnson, Mary, Sam and Emilee, as well as his wife Dee. Todd Moody talks about his work, his passions and making a difference.
Tell us a bit about the adoption cases. What’s it like creating new families?
“I finalize between six and ten adoptions almost every week of the year. Nothing that I do as an attorney is more rewarding than helping people navigate the legal process and become a permanent family. I go into the courtroom with them, unopposed, and share one of the happiest moments of their lives. I really think I have one of the best jobs on earth!”
You have been recognized by the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.
“Yes, I was named as one of only four Fellows in all of Nevada. Fellows in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys are selected because they have met the highest ethical and competency standards.”
You have to be proud of your efforts. What makes you successful?
“I work with an entire firm of attorneys and staff who love what they do and are extremely good at it. Success is contagious. If you do a good job for someone, they share the experience with others and it snowballs.”
How do you feel Scouting supports our youth?
“I am passionate about youth having experiences that allow them to do difficult things. Young men and women who are stretched and challenged beyond what they thought they can do are more apt to meet life’s later challenges head-on. It takes willing adults to stand side by side with youth, particularly those from broken homes, to give them a vision of who they are and what they can become.”
You also spend time studying genealogy; however, it seems it isn’t a favorite pastime of your family.
“Frequently, when I travel, I try to find a cemetery where a relative is buried and a library or courthouse to search for vital records. My children don’t always share my passion and get a little frustrated with me when I want to stop to take a photo of a headstone at a cemetery.”
Your research uncovered the fact that you are a descendant of someone who sailed on the Mayflower. Anything else you think others might not know about you?
“I have a collection of almost 400 Star Wars action figures. My kids are getting older but one day, when I have grandchildren, we’ll have some fun. I can ride a unicycle and if I wasn’t an attorney or professional genealogist, I’d be an FBI agent.”
