Jeff Robbins has had a remarkably diverse career, serving as an Ambassador, Senate Counsel, Assistant US Attorney, and Big Law partner—for many years at Mintz Levin and for the last five years at Saul Ewing. His insights, sensitivity, and wit are evident in this interview, but also benefit his students at Brown University (his alma mater) where he is an adjunct professor. Jeff is also a graduate of Boston University Law School.

Beginnings … and an Unscripted Career Path

Back in 1982, after working as a summer associate, I joined Mintz Levin in Boston as an associate. (The firm has now been rebranded “Mintz.”) I practiced there for five years, until I went into the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. I did that for three years, and then—as we had agreed before I went off to the U.S. attorney’s office—I returned to Mintz Levin. I became a partner in 1991, and was there until the spring of 1997, when I got a phone call from my friend Nick Littlefield, may he rest in peace.