Brendan Johnson, former U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, and Tim Purdon, former U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota, have joined the Robins Kaplan law firm.

Tim Purdon

They will open and head the firm’s newest offices in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Bismarck, N.D.

Johnson and Purdon join as partners in the firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Group, and will also focus on further developing the firm’s work with American Indian Tribes.

These latest hires mark the growth of its internal investigations and white-collar crime capabilities.

Brendan Johnson

They both join the firm’s Personal Injury Group as well, and Johnson will also focus his practice on commercial litigation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brendan and Tim to Robins Kaplan, and couldn’t envision two more qualified lawyers to expand our national internal investigations and white-collar crime capabilities, as well as our work on behalf of tribal communities,” said Martin Lueck, Chairman of Robins Kaplan’s Executive Board.

As South Dakota’s top federal prosecutor for five and a half years, Johnson managed a broad range of cases including financial and healthcare fraud, public corruption, violent crime, narcotics, and trafficking.

Purdon, appointed U.S. Attorney in August 2010, managed a broad range of cases, and — similar to Johnson — focused much of his work on combating sex trafficking and violent crime.

“As a longtime colleague and friend, I couldn’t be more excited to continue my partnership with Tim at Robins Kaplan,” said Johnson. “We look forward to bringing our experience to clients nationally, as well as in North Dakota and South Dakota.”

“Throughout my 20-year career as an attorney — both in private practice and as U.S. Attorney — I’ve worked hard to protect the people of North Dakota. The opportunity to continue that mission with the great attorneys at Robins Kaplan and with my close friend Brendan has me excited about the next chapter in my career,” added Purdon.