About Kaplin
Kaplin concentrates his corporate practice on advising clients regarding choice of entity and transactional tax planning; structuring tax-free reorganizations and like-kind property exchanges; setting up and advising tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations; handling IRS audits and appeals hearings; commencing and settling tax litigation; formulating and drafting tax opinions; and preparing IRS ruling requests. Kaplin negotiates and structures the following types of transactions: asset and property acquisitions; stock purchases and sales; cash mergers, spin-offs, and tax-free reorganizations; leveraged buyouts and stock redemptions. He has formed hundreds of limited liability companies, partnerships, and joint ventures; structured mergers and conversions of such entities; and advised regarding tax planning, buyout provisions, option arrangements, shareholder agreements, and management and split-up issues. He consults regarding nonqualified compensation planning; drafts nonqualified and incentive stock options; develops and drafts plans involving stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, and unrestricted stock; analyzes "golden parachute" problems; prepares employment agreements and bonus formulas; and consults regarding rabbi trusts, key man insurance and other nonqualified benefits.
Practice Areas
Education
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Grand Rapids (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Grand Rapids (2021)
- Lawyer of the Year: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Grand Rapids (2018)
- Lawyer of the Year: Tax Law, Grand Rapids (2015)
- Recognized: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Recognized: Tax Law
- Martindale-Hubbell Rating, AV® Preeminent™