Kaplin S. Jones
Recognized since 2013
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Practice Areas
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tax Law
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.
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.
Contact & Links
- Lawyer Page: https://www.varnumlaw.com/people/kaplin-s-jones
Location
- Bridgewater Place, Suite 1700
333 Bridge Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Education
- Brigham Young University, J.D., graduated 1981
- Brigham Young University, BS, graduated 1978
- Brigham Young University, BA, graduated 1977
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
- Utah, Utah State Bar
- District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
Affiliations
- American Bar Association - Member
- District of Columbia Bar - Member
- Grand Rapids Bar Association - Member
- Grand Rapids Public Museum Friends Foundation - Counsel
- Grand Valley State University, Master of Science in Taxation Program - Advisory Board Member
- State Bar of Michigan - Taxation Section; Tax Council, 1998 - 2000
- Utah State Bar - Member
Headquarters:
Grand Rapids, Michigan
97 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
20 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Grand Rapids (2024)
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Grand Rapids (2021)
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Grand Rapids (2018)
- Tax Law, Grand Rapids (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Tax Law
Awards:
- Martindale-Hubbell Rating, AV® Preeminent™
Publications
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