“I LOOK FOR COUNSEL WHO ARE TRULY FIDUCIARIES”
Todd Barton is Deputy GC of Fannie Mae. His legal department Fannie Mae handles thousands of real estate transactions annually. As a result, important decisions come fast and furious with consequences that extend far beyond the daily grind. How does he do it? How did he learn to do it?
Mark Curriden, founder of The Texas Lawbook had a chance to ask Barton about the formative elements of his remarkable career.
For Mark Curriden’s Full Profile of Fannie Mae Deputy General Counsel Todd Barton Click Here.
Texas Lawbook: Have you experienced any life-changing or life-defining experiences?
Todd Barton: Three things significantly affected my life in a positive way: (1) meeting my wife in law school (the single best thing that has ever happened to me), (2) working at Carrington Coleman, and (3) working at Fannie Mae.
Texas Lawbook: What are the most important factors for you in choosing outside counsel?
Barton: I focus on the individual lawyers who will handle the matter, as opposed to simply picking a law firm. Even the best law firms have variance in the skill of the lawyers. I place a great deal of importance on the skill, judgment and experience of outside counsel. I look for counsel who are truly fiduciaries, i.e., place the client’s interests above their own.
Texas Lawbook: How important is diversity in your selection of outside counsel?
Barton: Fannie Mae has a long history of promoting diversity and inclusion, and is committed to ensuring the inclusion and utilization of minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses in all businesses and activities, including our selection of outside counsel. It’s a commitment that is very important to me. When considering outside counsel, we take a broad approach to D&I by looking both at the diversity of the firm and the programs it has to optimize D&I for the future of the firm and the profession.
Texas Lawbook: What are your pet peeves about outside counsel?
Barton: I get irritated with outside counsel who are unresponsive/difficult to reach.
Texas Lawbook: What is something people need to know about Todd Barton?
Barton: I try to have fun while working and to make working fun for those around me. We get paid to solve complicated and important problems. No reason not to have fun in the process.