[citation needed] Graves was the first lawyer to file a suit on behalf of a group of Tea Party organizations against the Internal Revenue Service, alleging the IRS engaged in inappropriate "targeting of conservative political groups for extra scrutiny as they sought tax-exempt status", as reported in The Kansas City Star.

The lawsuit, pending in the Southern District of Ohio, where most Tea Party applications were initially processed, raises claims of viewpoint-based discrimination and retaliation under the First Amendment.

[citation needed] On March 18, 2021, Governor Mike Parson nominated Graves to serve on the University of Missouri Board of Curators from the 6th congressional district.

He said the Justice Department withheld the names of prosecutors who had been considered for possible dismissal to protect their reputations and "their ability to function effectively as U.S. attorneys or professionals in other roles."

[8][9] Graves had clashed with the Department of Justice's civil rights division over a federal lawsuit involving Missouri's voter rolls.

[12] His firm is the registered agent of Cornerstone 1791 and Liberty Alliance USA, an organization described by its executive director, Chris Vas, as "formed in order to grow the conservative movement in Missouri now and for decades to come.

"[13] Graves serves as President of the Board to the Stanley M. Herzog Foundation, which supports the advancement of Christian education through an endowment of nearly half a billion dollars.

The foundation will carry on Stanley Herzog’s mission of supporting education that instills important values like commitment to God, family, and community.