Partner


Todd P. Graves

Partner



Todd Graves is a lawyer in private practice with the law firm of Graves Garrett Greim. He represents clients nationwide before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, and his focuses include white collar criminal defense, political speech and election law, internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial litigation.

During a distinguished career, Todd has achieved numerous outcomes for his clients resulting in national and local coverage, and his work has been honored with awards from the National Law Journal, Kansas City Business Journal, Missouri Lawyers Media, and others.

Before forming GGG, Todd served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. In that role, he was responsible for prosecuting federal crimes including mail and wire fraud, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, child pornography, firearms violations, narcotics trafficking, pharmaceutical diversion, corporate fraud, and terrorism financing.

During Graves’ tenure, felony filings doubled. In addition, he was responsible for defending civil lawsuits brought against the United States, handling federal forfeiture actions, and collecting debts and restitution. Todd managed a staff of 120 with headquarters in Kansas City and two branch offices.

Todd also served as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, advising the Attorney General on Department of Justice national priorities and policies. He participated in drafting Department of Justice policies in corporate investigations including charging, pre-trial diversion, and sentencing. Todd was also a member of the national Executive Working Group, which includes six Department of Justice officials, six state attorneys general, and six district attorneys.

Prior to his role with the federal government, Todd was twice elected Platte County Prosecuting Attorney, in 1994 and 1998. At the time of his election in 1994, he was the youngest full-time prosecuting attorney in Missouri. He was appointed United States Attorney from his elected position.

As Prosecuting Attorney and as United States Attorney, Todd actively managed cases and trials under his authority and personally tried numerous jury trials to verdict, including cases of child molestation, drug distribution, murder, and capital murder. His first stint in private practice came at Bryan Cave law firm before his stints in public service. Before joining Bryan Cave, he was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri.

Todd remains active in both professional and civic involvements. He currently serves as Chairman of the Stanley M. Herzog Foundation and was appointed to University of Missouri Board of Curators in 2021. He previously as the Boy Scouts of America’s Central Region Area 5 President and is a past President of the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Additionally, Todd serves on the Board of Directors for Ballotpedia, an organization dedicated to building the Encyclopedia of American Politics, and is a founding board member of the Kansas City Missouri Police Foundation.

In 1991, Todd earned his law degree and a master’s in public administration from the University of Virginia. He received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Missouri in 1988.

Raised on a family farm near Tarkio, Missouri, Todd has been married 31 years to his wife, Tracy. The couple has four children, and they reside on a 270-acre farm north of Kansas City that has been in the family since 1867.

In the Media

Practice Areas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • United States Prosecuting Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, 2001-2006
  • Elected Prosecuting Attorney for Platte County, Missouri, 1994-2001
  • Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, Past Member
  • National Executive Working Group, Past Member

Civic and Community Involvement

  • University of Missouri Board of Curators, 2021-Present
  • Stanley M. Herzog Foundation, Chairman, 2021-Present
  • Boy Scouts of America, Central Region Area 5 President, 2020-2021
  • Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Past President
  • Ballotpedia Board of Directors, Member
  • Kansas City Missouri Police Foundation, Founding Board Member

Education

  • University of Missouri, B.S. (1988)
  • University of Virginia, M.P.A. (1991)
  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. (1991)

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Kansas
  • Texas
  • Iowa

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for District of Kansas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • Pro Hac across the nation as necessary

Recognitions and Distinctions

  • 50 Missourians You Should Know, Ingram’s Magazine, 2023
  • Missouri Lawyers Awards: Legal Champion, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2021
  • Chambers USA, Recognized Attorney in Missouri for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2020-present
  • POWER 30: White-Collar and Criminal Defense, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2020-present (includes inaugural class)
  • Best of the Bar, Kansas City Business Journal, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018
  • Lawyer of the Year (Litigation), Best Lawyers in America, 2016
  • White Collar Crime Trailblazer, National Law Journal, 2015
  • The Best Lawyers in Kansas City, Ingram’s Magazine, 2013
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2011-Present
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005-Present