Lewis Kaplan

Lewis Kaplan is a renowned judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, known for presiding over high-profile cases involving Wall Street firms, Federal Bureau of Investigation investigations, and United States Department of Justice prosecutions. He has worked with notable figures such as Rudolph Giuliani, Mary Jo White, and Preet Bharara. Kaplan's expertise in securities law and white-collar crime has led to his involvement in cases related to Bernard Madoff, Enron, and WorldCom. His judicial decisions have been cited by courts such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.

● Early Life and Education

Lewis Kaplan was born in New York City and raised in The Bronx. He attended Columbia University, where he earned his undergraduate degree, and later graduated from Harvard Law School. During his time at Harvard Law School, he was influenced by prominent professors such as Erwin Griswold and Archibald Cox. Kaplan's education also involved studying at University of Cambridge, where he was exposed to the works of Alan Dershowitz and Laurence Tribe. His early life and education laid the foundation for his future career, which would involve working with notable figures like Robert Morgenthau and Eliot Spitzer.

● Career

Kaplan's career in law began as a law clerk for Judge J. Edward Lumbard of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He then worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, prosecuting cases involving organized crime and narcotics trafficking. Kaplan's experience in the United States Attorney's Office led to his appointment as a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where he has presided over cases related to terrorism, cybercrime, and intellectual property law. His judicial career has involved working with institutions such as the Federal Judicial Center, the American Bar Association, and the National Center for State Courts.

● Notable Cases

Kaplan has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Bernard Madoff for Ponzi scheme fraud, the trial of Raj Rajaratnam for insider trading, and the case against Lloyd Blankfein and Goldman Sachs for securities fraud. He has also handled cases involving hacking and cybercrime, such as the prosecution of Ross Ulbricht for operating the Silk Road online marketplace. Kaplan's decisions have been cited in cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. His expertise in securities law has led to his involvement in cases related to Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco International.

● Personal Life

Kaplan is married to Anita Kaplan, and they have two children together. He is a member of the New York City Bar Association and the Federal Bar Council. Kaplan has also been involved with organizations such as the American Law Institute and the National Academy of Sciences. His personal life has involved interactions with notable figures such as Sandra Day O'Connor, Stephen Breyer, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Kaplan's interests outside of law include classical music and art history, and he has been known to attend performances at Carnegie Hall and exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

● Legacy

Kaplan's legacy as a judge is marked by his fairness, integrity, and expertise in securities law and white-collar crime. He has been recognized for his contributions to the judiciary by organizations such as the American Bar Association and the National Center for State Courts. Kaplan's decisions have had a significant impact on the development of securities law and corporate governance, and his opinions have been cited by courts such as the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His legacy continues to influence the legal profession, with many lawyers and judges seeking to follow in his footsteps. Category:Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York