Ted Folkman has always understood that litigation—not transactional work—was his true calling.
What began as a clear sense of direction has grown into a dynamic, multi-faceted litigation practice focused on helping clients address complex business issues and navigate international legal challenges with clarity and purpose.
With more than two decades of experience, Ted focuses his practice in three distinct but interconnected areas: traditional business litigation, cross-border disputes, and arbitration. Whether he’s handling a dispute among business partners, litigating a high-stakes contract case, or advising on the enforcement of a foreign judgment, Ted brings sharp analysis, procedural fluency, and a commitment to clear communication to every matter he undertakes.
Ted’s litigation clients include a variety of institutional entities—such as hospitals and museums—but he most often represents owners of closely held and family-run businesses or individuals involved in complex or international disputes. In his cross-border work, he frequently collaborates with lawyers worldwide, assisting clients in navigating issues such as international judicial assistance, conflict of laws, and judgment recognition. He regularly helps foreign counsel secure US evidence for proceedings abroad and aids US counsel in obtaining evidence from overseas jurisdictions.
An accomplished arbitrator and member of the American Arbitration Association’s commercial and consumer panels, Ted also serves as a neutral and as an advocate in domestic arbitrations. His experience on both sides of the process has sharpened his advocacy and deepened his understanding of what persuades decision-makers. He believes that clarity—alongside honesty—is the hallmark of effective legal practice.
Secured Settlement for Engineering Firm in Sovereign Immunity Dispute
Represented an international engineering firm in connection with a public works contract dispute against an African government that had failed to pay after project completion. Following a successful foreign arbitration, Ted brought enforcement proceedings in U.S. court, overcoming the government’s attempt to dismiss the case on foreign sovereign immunity grounds. The matter concluded with a favorable settlement for the client.
Guided Family-Owned Real Estate Company Through High-Stakes Ownership Dispute
Counseled second-generation owners of a prominent Boston-based family real estate business through a contentious ownership buyout negotiation with a minority stakeholder. When negotiations broke down, Ted led the client through multiple rounds of arbitration, ultimately resulting in a favorable buyout agreement that preserved family control and business continuity.
Defended Major Hospital in High-Value Royalties Litigation
Represented a leading Boston hospital in a lawsuit brought by a former employee seeking a share of royalties from a groundbreaking mRNA-based invention. The case involved complex questions of inventorship and commercialization. Ted secured summary judgment in favor of the hospital, successfully resolving all claims before trial.
Obtained Jurisdictional Dismissal for European Art Museum in Cross-Border Authenticity Dispute
Acted for a European art museum sued in the United States by a collector after the museum’s private expert opinion cast doubt on the authenticity of a purchased painting. Ted obtained dismissal on jurisdictional grounds, shifting the dispute to the appropriate foreign forum and shielding the museum from protracted U.S. litigation.
Education
- JD, cum laude, Harvard Law School, 2000
- MA, Columbia University, 1997
- AB, magna cum laude, Princeton University, 1996
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- US District Court for the District of Columbia
Experience recognized
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2026
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Go To Business Litigation Lawyer, 2024
- Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2025
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2024-2025
- Boston Bar Association President’s Award, 2016
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, 2006, 2007, 2013
- Harvard Journal on Legislation, Editor 1998-2000
- Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2024
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2024
- Non-Governmental Delegate to the Hague Conference Special Commission on the Operation of the Service, Evidence, and Access to Justice Conventions, The Hague (2024, Author)
- Foreign Discovery: Where To Start?, USLAW Magazine (June 2024, Author)
- Judicial Assistance for the Taking of Evidence Outside Quebec, Association du Barreau canadien, Division du Quebec (June 2024, Speaker)
- Nigeria Tells DC Circ. It Has Immunity In $2.9M Award Fight, Law360, LexisNexis (February 2023, Quoted)
- Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group Annual Conference, Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (2022, Invited Speaker)
- ZF Automotive v. Luxshare, Deutschen Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit (2022, Invited Speaker)
- Rethinking the Service of Documents in Cross-Border Transactions, International Law Association American Branch (2021, Invited Speaker)
- Service of Process, Georgetown University Law Center (2021, Invited Speaker)
- Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments and Arbitral Awards, Federal Civil Litigation in the First Circuit (2021, Author)
- Choice of Law, in Arbitration of International Intellectual Property Disputes (2021, Author)
- Service of Process and Taking of Evidence Abroad in the Era of Digitalization – European and Global Perspectives, European Association of Private International Law (2021, Invited Speaker)
- Ten Things to Know about International Arbitration, Boston Bar Association (2021, Invited Speaker)
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Civil Litigation, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2020, Invited Speaker)
- Monster Energy v. City Beverages—Ninth Circuit’s New Disclosure Rules for Owner-Neutral, ABA Section of Litigation Practice Points (January 2020, Author)
- U.S. v. Assa Co. Ltd, International Legal Materials, vol. 59, no. 2 (2020, Author)
- Foreign Sovereign Immunity and Locally Employed Staff: The Massachusetts Example, Boston Bar Association (2020, Invited Speaker)
- American Law Institute
- Boston Bar Association, International Law Section – Immediate Past Co-Chair
- Boston Bar Association, Amicus Committee – Past Member
- Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Practice and Procedure Committee – Past Chair
- International Bar Association
- Congregation Kehillath Israel, Trustee
- American Jewish Committee (New England), Leadership Board Member