Martin S. Kaplan

Retired Partner

Martin Kaplan is a retired partner and a former chair of the firm'sĀ Corporate Practice. Mr. Kaplan commenced practice at Hale and Dorr in 1964 and remained with the firm throughout his career. When he retired in 2009 he had a general corporate law and trust practice, focusing on the representation of charitable foundations.

Practice

In addition to charitable foundations, Mr. Kaplan's clients included a broad range of public and family-controlled companies in financial services, manufacturing and distribution. He has managed a large number of complex corporate, real estate and nonprofit transactions.

Community Involvement

Mr. Kaplan is an emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the Boston Foundation, and served as chair of its Program Committee while serving on the board. He is also an emeritus overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and was national chair of the American Jewish Committee's Interreligious Affairs Commission and a member of the AJC Executive Committee.

Professional Activities

Mr. Kaplan has spoken at numerous conferences and events on matters relating to foundations and family businesses, as well as on educational, environmental and interreligious issues.

From 1992-1996, Mr. Kaplan was chair of the Massachusetts Board of Education (appointed by Governor William F. Weld), and was a major proponent of the education reform movement in Massachusetts. He was also a member of the Education Commission of the States, and a director of the National Association of State Boards of Education.

Recognition

Honors & Awards

Mr. Kaplan held a number of leadership positions at Columbia University, including President of the Columbia College Alumni Association and the Board of Visitors. He was a recipient of the Columbia University Alumni Medal in 1993 and the Columbia College John Jay Award in 2000. Mr. Kaplan also received the Thomas Berry Award in 2009 for his leadership in the fields of religion and ecology.

Insights & News

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, Harvard Law School, 1964

      cum laude
    • AB, Columbia University, 1961

  • Admissions

    • Massachusetts

    • New York

  • Clerkships

    • The Hon. Bailey Aldrich, US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1965 - 1965

Credentials

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