Stoppels, C Mark

Martin Kaplan is a retired partner in the Corporate Practice Group, a former chair of the firm's corporate practice and was a founding general partner of Hale and Dorr Wealth Advisors (now Silver Bridge), the investment advisory subsidiary of WilmerHale. Mr. Kaplan began practicing law 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 transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, corporate split-ups, partnership roll-ups, public and private offerings, and real estate and oil syndications.

Professional Activities

Mr. Kaplan spoke at numerous conferences on matters relating to foundations, family businesses and educational and environmental issues.

From 1992-1996, he served as chair of the Massachusetts Board of Education (a position to which he was appointed by Governor William F. Weld), and he 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.

Honors and Awards

Mr. Kaplan held a number of leadership positions at Columbia University, including president of the Columbia College Alumni Association from 1994-1996, and currently is a member of 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.

Community Involvement

Mr. Kaplan is an emeritus member of the Board of Overseers of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He completed ten years of service on the Board of the Boston Foundation in June 2003. He has served as national chair of the American Jewish Committee's Interreligious Affairs Commission and as a member of the AJC National Executive Committee, and is presently a member of its Board of Governors.