Mark N. Kaplan
Mark N. Kaplan | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, corporate executive |
| Known for | CEO of Drexel Burnham Lambert; senior partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
Mark N. Kaplan is an American attorney and corporate leader, known for his tenure as CEO of Drexel Burnham Lambert and his role as senior partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.
Education
Kaplan earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia College in 1951, followed by a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1953.
Professional career
Kaplan launched his legal career at Marshall, Bratter, where he headed the corporate division before transitioning to the investment banking sector with Burnham and Company. Between 1970 and 1977, he held the positions of president and CEO across the firm's various entities, including Drexel Burnham Lambert, taking over as CEO from founder I. W. "Tubby" Burnham while Burnham retained the chairman role. In 1977, Kaplan assumed the roles of president and CEO at Engelhard, a former member of the Fortune 500, where he remained for two years. Subsequently, he joined Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as a senior partner, serving until 1998. Additionally, Kaplan was a board member of DRS Technologies and was instrumental in its acquisition by Leonardo S.p.A.
Awards and honors
In 1979, Kaplan received the John Jay Award from Columbia College for outstanding professional accomplishments; he was among the inaugural honorees alongside distinguished figures such as ABC News President Roone P. Arledge and NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2010.
Philanthropy
Kaplan contributes to educational and healthcare progress through his board memberships at the Institute of International Education and the New York Academy of Medicine.
Personal life
He is married to Helene L. Kaplan, a notable attorney at Skadden and alumna of Barnard College, who served as chair of the Carnegie Corporation of New York during two separate terms: from 1985 to 1990 and again from 2002 to 2007.