Roberta Kaplan
Roberta Kaplan (born 1958) is an American attorney and former partner at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She is best known for her role in the United States v. Microsoft Corp. antitrust case, where she served as lead counsel for the United States Department of Justice. Kaplan has also been involved in high-profile litigation, including representing Michael Jackson in his child molestation allegations and Donald Trump in the Trump v. Vance case. Her career has spanned decades of complex corporate and civil litigation, earning her recognition as one of the most prominent female attorneys in the United States.
Early Life and Education
Roberta Kaplan was born in 1958 and grew up in New York City. She attended Harvard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1979. Kaplan later attended Yale Law School, graduating in 1982. During her time at Yale, she was a member of the Yale Law Journal, which she later edited.
Career
After graduating from law school, Roberta Kaplan joined the Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom law firm in 1982. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in 1990. One of her most notable cases was her representation of the United States Department of Justice in the United States v. Microsoft Corp. trial, which lasted from 1998 to 2001. The case centered on Microsoft's antitrust practices, and Kaplan played a pivotal role in shaping the government's legal strategy.
In addition to her work with the government, Roberta Kaplan has represented a range of high-profile clients. She served as lead counsel for Michael Jackson during his 2003 trial, where Jackson was accused of child molestation. Kaplan's defense team argued that the allegations were part of a broader campaign to damage Jackson's reputation.
More recently, Roberta Kaplan has represented Donald Trump in legal matters, including the Trump v. Vance case, which challenged the New York State Department of Financial Services's subpoena for Trump's tax returns. The case reached the Supreme Court of the United States, where the court ruled in favor of Trump in 2021.
Personal Life
Roberta Kaplan is known for her work in both public and private sectors, but details about her personal life remain largely private. She has been married twice and has two children. Despite her high-profile career, she has maintained a relatively low public profile outside of her legal work.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Roberta Kaplan has received numerous accolades for her legal work. She has been named to the The National Law Journal's list of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" multiple times. In 2019, she was honored by The American Lawyer as one of the "Most Influential Women in Law".
Controversies
Roberta Kaplan's work has not been without controversy. Her representation of Michael Jackson drew criticism from some quarters, with critics arguing that her defense of Jackson was ethically questionable. Similarly, her work on behalf of Donald Trump has sparked debate, particularly in the wake of Trump's 2020 presidential election loss and subsequent legal challenges.
Legacy
Roberta Kaplan's career has left a lasting impact on the legal field, particularly in the areas of antitrust law and high-profile litigation. Her work on the United States v. Microsoft Corp. case is often cited as a landmark in modern antitrust law. Despite the controversies surrounding some of her cases, her legal acumen and strategic mind have earned her a place among the most respected attorneys in the United States.
References
- [The New York Times article on Roberta Kaplan](https://www.nytimes.com) - [The American Lawyer profile of Roberta Kaplan](https://www.americanlawyer.com) - [The National Law Journal listing of influential lawyers](https://www.nationallawjournal.com) - [Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Vance](https://www.supremecourt.gov)
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