Jonathan R. Todd

Jonathan R. Todd

Co-Lead, Transportation & Logistics Practice

Overview

Supply chains are the lifeblood of client businesses. Jonathan Todd knows the players, the playbook, and the value in quickly mobilizing. He is personally Chambers USA National “Band 1” ranked and has grown an impressive, nationally recognized bench of lawyers.

Jonathan’s clients include manufacturers, retailers, technology companies, carriers of all modes, freight forwarders, and property brokers. He has spent his entire career focused on handling transportation, logistics, warehousing, fulfillment, procurement, sales, and import or export matters.

His portfolio of experience includes industry mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting and negotiating of all forms, government license and permit management, business operations counsel, new business lines, new market entry, geopolitical risk management, regulatory compliance counsel and enforcement defense, claims, and dispute resolution.

Perspective is everything among attorneys. Jonathan has served the industry on advisory committees and councils by appointment of the Transportation Secretary, Commerce Secretary, TSA Administrator, and Ohio Governor. He previously served as senior counsel and officer for a global transportation, logistics, and customs brokerage provider. Along the way, he received a graduate degree in supply chain management, a certificate in international law, a customs broker license, and a fellow designation from the Association for Supply Chain Management. 

Jonathan is a national authority on supply chain management, transportation and logistics, and international trade matters. He frequently speaks at events nationwide and his commentary is widely published, including in NPR, Forbes Newsroom, Scripps News, Nasdaq TradeTalks, Vogue Business, Bloomberg Law, National Law Journal, Law360, Inbound Logistics, Supply Chain Dive and FreightWaves. He is a Crain’s “Notables in Law” recipient, a three-time JD Supra “Reader’s Choice Award” recipient for International Law and Transportation Law subjects, and a Supply & Demand Chan Executive’s “Pro to Know” recipient.  

Benesch’s National Band 1 ranked Transportation & Logistics Practice Group has also held the title of national “Law Firm of The Year” in Transportation Law for seven recent years.

You are welcome to reach out and discuss any issue, big or small, any time at 1-216-363-4658 or jtodd@beneschlaw.com.

Benesch Transportation & Logistics Vice Chair Jonathan Todd Again Honored with 2026 JD Supra’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Benesch is pleased to announce that Jonathan Todd, vice chair of the firm’s Transportation & Logistics Practice Group, has been honored for the third time by JD Supra’s Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking #3 in International Law and #4 in Transportation. This recognition highlights his thought leadership and strong readership among industry professionals, including C-suite executives, in-house counsel, media and other professionals, throughout 2025.

Featured endorsements

Best Law Firms - Transportation Law - 2025
Best Law Firms - Transportation Law Tier 1 - 2024
Best Lawyers-Transportation Law 2023

Experience

Credentials

Education

St. Louis University, 2013, MBA, Supply Chain Management
St. Louis University School of Law, 2008, J.D., International Law Certificate

Bar & Court Admissions

U.S. Customs Broker
Ohio
APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional Fellow (CSCP-F)

More

  • Member, Air Forwarders Association (AFA) – Regulatory Compliance Committee; Contributor to “At The Bar” Column
  • Member, American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
  • Member, American Trucking Associations (ATA) – Supply Chain Security Policy Committee
  • Member, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
  • Board Member – District Export Council for Northern Ohio
  • Member, Institute for Supply Chain Management (ISM)
  • Member, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA)
  • Member, Transportation Lawyer’s Association (TLA)
  • Board Member – Truckload Carrier Association (TCA)
  • Voting Member – TSA Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee
  • Named, 500 Leading Lawyers in Maritime, Admiralty & The High Seas, 2026
  • Recipient, Top Author Award, JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, 2021, 2025, 2026
  • Ranked Band 4 Nationally for International Trade: Customs, Chambers 2026
  • Ranked Band 1 Nationally for Transportation: Road (Carriage/Logistics), Chambers 2024-2026
  • Ranked Band 2 Nationally for Transportation: Road (Carriage/Logistics), Chambers 2023
  • Listed, Crain’s Cleveland Notables in Law, 2022
  • Listed, Chambers USA Leading Lawyers, Transportation: Road (Carriage/Logistics) Nationally, 2020-2022
  • Listed, Pros to Know, Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine, 2021

Hobbies/Activities

Desert hiking, baseball and hockey games, and watching almost any movie (particularly documentaries)

Favorite Quote

“A problem well-defined is a problem half solved.” – John Dewey

Related News & Insights

Client Alerts & Insights 6.17.26

Customs Duty Assists: Regulatory Compliance Overview and FAQ

Customs compliance and enforcement defense are high-profile exercises within U.S.-based importers due to the higher-risk regulatory enforcement environment. One of the more complex hot topics facing compliance and legal professionals within importers of record (IORs) is the degree to which “assists” impact dutiable value, and therefore duty burden, in the eyes of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Client Alerts & Insights 6.17.26

TSA Authorized Representatives—Emerging Practice of Engaging Freight Brokers and Its Practical Implications

Air transportation safety has long been of critical supply chain importance and geopolitical significance, and that role is growing. Supply chain constraints over this decade have driven a need for adaptation, modal diversification and cost containment. To do so, authorized air cargo providers have increasingly explored new ways to add capacity for regulated surface transportation.

Client Alerts & Insights 6.11.26

IEEPA Tariff Refunds Challenged in Court – Q&A for Supply Chains

Many of our clients have filed declarations to receive International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) tariff refunds for “Phase 1” of the new refund process. Some have already received those funds. Recent Department of Justice (“DOJ”) actions between June 2 and June 9, 2026, raise questions about the viability of this administrative process for duty refunds beyond those allowed in Phase 1.