About Timothy Billion

Tim practices in the Business Litigation Group and has represented clients in trust and fiduciary litigation, contract and fraud claims, constitutional and election litigation, civil rights litigation, personal injury claims, internal investigations, and criminal proceedings. He regularly advises tribes nationwide. In 2023, the National Civil Justice Institute awarded him the Appellate Advocacy Award for a victory in Rosebud Sioux Tribe v. United States. Chambers USA named him a 'Leading Lawyer in Native American Law: Associate to Watch' in 2021.

Super Lawyers designated him a 'Rising Star' in 2019-2021. The Best Lawyers in America included him on its 'Ones to Watch' list for 2021-2022. He's been recognized as a North Star Lawyer for pro bono service.

Tim has led trial and appellate teams in state and federal courts, using the litigation process to maximize strategic advantage while staying focused on reaching the client's goals. He serves as past President of the Second Circuit Bar Association, past Editor of the South Dakota Trial Lawyer's newsletter, and co-chairs the South Dakota State Bar's Indian Law Committee. He's South Dakota state chair for the ABA's Council of Appellate Lawyers.

Proven verdicts and settlements at Robins Kaplan LLP

These results are credited to Robins Kaplan LLP. A result appears under an attorney's own name only when a published source names them as counsel on the case.

$20 millionSettlementTop 20 in Minnesota · #6

Justine Ruszczyk Damond called 911 to report a woman screaming behind her house, then walked out in her pajamas to meet the squad car. Officer Mohamed Noor shot her from the passenger seat. Minneapolis settled with her family for $20 million in May 2019, more than four times the largest police payout in the city's history.

Hennepin County, MN · 2019Civil RightsRead the full story →
$12.2 millionSettlementTop 20 in Minnesota · #8

Terrance Winborn was booked into the Scott County Jail on a suspected DUI. A bacterial infection went untreated in custody until it caused septic shock, a heart attack and gangrene, and surgeons amputated both of his arms below the elbows. The county and its insurer settled his Section 1983 claim for $12.2 million.

U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota · 2023Civil RightsRead the full story →
$9.66 million

Dr. Philip Gattuso, a 49-year-old Fargo dentist, was beaten to death with a hammer in his home in October 2009. His father-in-law, Gene Kirkpatrick, had paid a hit man $3,000 with $10,000 more promised, because he wanted custody of Gattuso's young daughter. Kirkpatrick is serving life without parole. In July 2013, after a bench trial on damages, Judge Lisa Fair McEvers entered a $9,656,139.50 wrongful-death judgment for the girl and the estate. Kirkpatrick says he cannot pay any of it.

Cass County District Court, East Central Judicial District, Fargo ND · 2013Wrongful DeathRead the full story →
$3 millionSettlementTop 20 in Minnesota · #16

Philando Castile told a St. Anthony officer he was carrying a licensed firearm and was shot seconds later during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. After the officer's acquittal, his mother settled the family's wrongful death claims for $2.995 million without ever filing a federal lawsuit.

Ramsey County, MN · 2017Civil RightsRead the full story →
$2.9 millionSettlement

A twelve-year-old girl died while in the care of a residential treatment facility in North Dakota. Her parents' federal civil rights action was dismissed by the district court, reinstated by the Eighth Circuit in 2022, and settled on remand for $2.9 million, reported as the largest known civil rights settlement in the state.

U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota, Eastern Division (after reinstatement by the 8th Cir.) · 2023Civil RightsRead the full story →

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.

Education

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2013
Grinnell College
Undergraduate, 2008

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of Minnesota
State Bar of South Dakota

Other attorneys at Robins Kaplan LLP

View firm →

Proven verdicts and settlements from other Minneapolis firms

Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
$52.4 million · I-35W Bridge Collapse: $52.4 Million Settlement Against URS Corp for Negligent Inspection
Meshbesher & Spence
Meshbesher & Spence
$12.88 million · Dakota County Jury Awards $12.88 Million After Defective Jeep Shifter Causes Rollaway Amputation
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC
$29.07 million · $29 Million Verdict for Cerebral Palsy After Midwife Failed to Call the OB in a Fetal Heart-Rate Crisis

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.