Breaking the Ice: Former U.S. prosecutor proud of state’s response to ICE

Former federal prosecutor Allen Slaughter, who recently returned to Robins Kaplan, said the timing of his resignation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota speaks for itself.

“The timing, just before Mr. [Alex] Pretti was killed, should make much of my decision-making self-evident,” Slaughter said, referring to the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge.

“Separately, I’m really proud of the way that my state responded,” Slaughter said. “A lot of people taking care of one another.”

In private practice, Slaughter, previously an associate at the firm, is focusing on helping clients navigate complex litigation, government and internal investigations and civil rights issues.

As a federal prosecutor for nearly 16 years, Slaughter served on the trial team in United States v. Chauvin et al. He’s handled investigations involving violent crime, public corruption and health care fraud.

“Clients will get the benefit of almost 20 years of combined day-to-day courtroom experience, and not just in trials,” Slaughter said.

Name: Allen Slaughter

Title: Counsel, Robins Kaplan

Education: B.A., political science, University of South Dakota; J.D, University of South Dakota School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: I’m admittedly quite naturally introverted, so usually just saying hello is a great start. I’m often the quiet guy at the large party.

Q: Why law school?

A: I did graduate studies in public and health administration, and thought it would help in a career involving hospital administration. I had gotten all of those classes done faster than I needed to and just jumped into law school.

Q: What are you reading?

A: I just finished reading “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans. Great book.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: Rudeness, especially poor cell phone etiquette. Although, admittedly, I’ve been a violator of cell phone etiquette myself.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: I’ve thought of law as society’s attempt to regulate itself. From that perspective, I’ve thought the practice of law was the process of helping others or helping each other and sometimes even your colleagues.

Q: Most challenging?

A: If you’re doing them right, trials. A long time ago, a mentor of mine said that the day that you walk into the courtroom, especially for trial, and you’re not nervous is the day you need to quit.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: Enjoying my children and their activities. They’re growing fast. Reading. Being outside. Working out.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: I was born in the Twin Cities but grew up in Sioux Falls. In the Twin Cities, I’d take them to the Stone Arch area, the locks, but also the bridges up and down the river. It’s my favorite part, especially at night. Sioux Falls, I’d probably just take them to the falls. It’s a beautiful area.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: There are two life mentors of mine whom I admire the most, though I’ve had a lot of capable and awesome friends and colleagues here. The first one is Karen Schreier. She’s a federal judge in South Dakota. I worked with her in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and then was one of her clerks. Often, I refer to her as my second mother. We still remain in contact. Another is probably the best trial attorney I’ve ever seen, Robert Mandel. He went from federal prosecutor to state judge in South Dakota, and is retired. But he and I speak somewhat often.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: Some folks think that if you’re a prosecutor, you might have difficulty crossing over into the civil realm, especially because of the pace and how it can be very different. But I’ve found the skills of being a prosecutor are readily transferable to civil practice, especially once you understand the subject matter.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: “Law & Order.” It often belies the actual trial process. But, it’s realistic in some of the things that lawyers go through, especially prosecutors in working with cops.