B. Todd Jones

B. Todd Jones' distinguished legal career is marked by a series of high-profile roles and achievements, including two terms as U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota and his appointment as the first confirmed director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Special Counsel for Conduct at the NFL, where he spent nearly a decade overseeing the league's risk management, investigatory, and disciplinary processes, including matters related to player and employee misconduct and legalized sports betting.

Jones is widely recognized for his exceptional leadership, legal expertise, and commitment to justice. His diverse background includes extensive experience in the military, federal law enforcement, and private sectors, making him a trusted advisor to corporations facing complex regulatory challenges.

After serving on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, Jones began his public service career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Minnesota, where he distinguished himself by conducting federal grand jury investigations and prosecuting major drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms cases. Jones then transitioned to private practice, becoming a partner at Greene Espel and later at Robins Kaplan. In these roles, he focused on complex business litigation and white-collar defense, further broadening his legal experience. His courtroom ability was demonstrated by his successful defense of Hall of Fame baseball player Kirby Puckett against sexual assault charges, securing a full acquittal at trial.

Jones served two terms as U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. During his second term, he also chaired the Attorney General's Advisory Committee, underscoring his leadership within the Department of Justice. In this role, he oversaw several significant cases, including multi-billion-dollar fraud investigations, high-profile terrorism recruitment cases involving Somali Americans being recruited to fight abroad, and major criminal RICO cases.

Jones' career reached new heights when he served as Director of the ATF, where he leveraged his experience as a federal prosecutor to more fully integrate the agency into the Department of Justice after its post-9/11 transition from the Treasury Department. This role further solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the legal and law enforcement communities. He joined the NFL in 2015 before returning to Robins Kaplan as a partner in 2024.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D.
• Macalester College, B.A. in Political Science

Representative Matters

U.S. v. Omer Abdi Mohamed (2009-2011): As Lead Counsel U.S. Attorney for the District of Minneapolis, led the prosecution of a high-profile terrorism recruitment case involving conspirators recruiting Somali Americans to fight abroad. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a conspiracy to murder, kidnap, and maim abroad. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

U.S. v. Alan Green (2005): Led the defense in a federal criminal action of a sitting state district court judge in a high-profile public corruption case. In a following trial serving as co-lead defense counsel, the jury hung on all but one mail fraud count against the judge and returned a verdict only on the sole mail fraud count of conviction.

State of Minnesota v. Kirby Puckett (2003): Successfully defended Hall of Fame baseball player Kirby Puckett in a high-profile criminal trial involving allegations of sexual assault, obtaining a full acquittal at trial.

John Barlow v. Velma Throdahl (1995-1996): Successfully defended a municipal employee in a defamation lawsuit, resulting in the plaintiff dismissing the case with prejudice. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

Yvette Robinson, et al. v. Henry Cisneros, et al. (1994-1996): Successfully negotiated a settlement in a federal class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in public housing assignments. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

U.S. v. Cassell Bobo, et al. (1993): Successfully prosecuted a major narcotics distribution and money laundering conspiracy involving California and Minnesota. Convictions >were upheld on appeal. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

U.S. v. Michael Severe, et al. (1993): Successfully prosecuted a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. The conviction was upheld on appeal. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

U.S. v. Alex Horne and Joseph Franklin (1993): Successfully prosecuted a case involving conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and operation of a crack house near a school. Convictions were upheld on appeal. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

U.S. v. Norberto Trevino-Rodriguez and Rosalio Trevino-Lopez (1992): Successfully prosecuted a multi-state cocaine distribution conspiracy. Convictions were upheld on appeal. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

• Recipient of the Edmund J. Randolph Award from the Department of Justice (2011)
• National Black Prosecutors Association President's Award of Excellence (2011)
• Macalester College Alumni Citation - The Catharine Lealtad '15 Service to Society Award (2010)
• Named a "Minnesota Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers (2002-2008)
• Named to the "Top 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers" by Minnesota Law & Politics (2007-2008)
• City of St. Paul Certificate of Recognition for service as Co-Chair of the St. Paul Police Chief Examination (Selection) Committee (2004)
• Inducted as Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers (2001)
• Navy Achievement Medals for service while on active and reserve duty in the United States Marine Corps (1989 and 1995)

Civic

• National Policing Institute, Board Member (2023-present)
• Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (2020-present)
• University of Minnesota Foundation, Board of Trustees (2005-2009)
• University of Minnesota Law School, Institute for Law and Politics, Advisory Board Member (2007-2009)
• University of St. Thomas School of Law, Board of Governors (2000-2006)
• Twin Cities RISE! Board of Directors (2001-2003)
• State of Minnesota, Governor's Citizen Advisory Commission on Redistricting, Member (2001)
• Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis, Board of Directors (1990-1996)
• St. Paul YMCA Black Achievers Mentor Program, Co-Chair (1990-1993)

Professional

• American Bar Association

Speeches

• Preparing a Game Plan: Incident Response and Preventing Corporate Crisis for Sports & Entertainment Legal Teams
  American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 15, 2024)
• Law and Leadership in Public and Private Sectors  
  ​Robins Kaplan LLP Trial Advocacy Seminar, Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 30, 2024)

Media Mentions

• "Lessons From a Legal Career in the Military, the NFL and Government," Legal Dive (September 11, 2024)
• "NFL Senior VP Rejoins Robins Kaplan’s White Collar Practice," Law360 (September 3, 2024)
• "Kirkland, Paul Weiss, Weil, McDermott and Other Top Firms Make Lateral Bonanza in NY," Law.com (September 3, 2024)
• "B. Todd Jones, Former MN U.S. Attorney and Director of ATF, Leaving NFL to Rejoin Robins Kaplan Law Firm," Star Tribune (September 3, 2024)
• "Code of Conduct," Macalaster College Alumni News (August 26, 2024)
• "Alumni Interrogatory: B. Todd Jones," Minnesota Law Magazine (May 15, 2021)