Manatt Bolsters Litigation Leadership in Orange County as Phillip Kaplan Joins Firm

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced today that Phillip Kaplan has joined the firm as a litigation partner. Kaplan, formerly a partner with O’Melveny & Myers LLP, bolsters Manatt’s national trial practice and the firm’s growing Orange County presence.

"Phil Kaplan is a highly respected leader in the Southern California legal community and an extraordinary litigator,” said Chad Hummel, chair of Manatt's Litigation Division. "His record of delivering results speaks for itself, and his presence enhances our national litigation practice. Most importantly, his addition further cements our position as a litigation powerhouse in Orange County – a special and unique market in which we now offer unparalleled capabilities for clients with civil and criminal cases in federal and state court.”

With 30 years of litigation successes, Kaplan’s broad-based trial practice focuses on securities, financial institutions, insurance, complex business litigation and class actions. He represents banks and mutual funds and defends companies in class and derivative actions in connection with federal and state securities cases. Kaplan’s corporate litigation practice includes mergers and acquisitions cases, earn-out disputes, suits arising out of restructuring and bankruptcies, and disputes over corporate control.

“I am very happy to be joining one of the most talented litigation groups in Orange County, said Kaplan. “I have known many of the lawyers here for a long time and think that we have a tremendous opportunity to expand our presence, both in Orange County and nationally.” Kaplan added, “I was particularly attracted by Manatt’s entrepreneurial style and its focus on growth. I think the firm is positioned to grow in business segments, such as securities litigation, where I have focused my practice. It is an exciting move for me.”

William T. Quicksilver, the firm’s chief executive officer and managing partner, noted that Kaplan’s practice “is complementary to Manatt’s established litigation platform, having expertise in our key practice areas and core industry sectors. His experience broadens and enhances our existing strong litigation and trial capabilities both in California and nationally. We are excited about having Phil as a new partner.”

Kaplan identified Manatt’s strong commitment to pro bono work as a factor in his decision to join the firm. A longtime leader in the pro bono community, he received the Anti-Defamation League’s Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Prize for outstanding commitment to civil rights in 2010.

“One of the most important aspects of my career has been the opportunity to provide access to justice to individuals and organizations in need,” Kaplan said. “Manatt’s pro bono accomplishments, from the national Holocaust Survivors Justice Network to their work training the next generation of lawyers through the UC Irvine School of Law, are inspiring. Making a meaningful difference as a member of the Manatt team is something I look forward to.”

Kaplan earned a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Southern California.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation's leading law firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base – including Fortune 500, middle-market, and emerging companies – across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLPLawrence Martinez, (310) 231-5443

Source: Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP