Kaplitt Legal Consulting LLC

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Overview

Operating a business or organization always involves legal work – an unavoidable expense but also an
opportunity. While all clients are mindful of the cost, and most appreciate the necessity, few have the ability to assess and customize their own legal services.

Kaplitt Legal Consulting (KLC) is a unique solo law practice that provides innovative legal solutions
tailored to suit the demands of each client. A small company may want a general counsel to manage its legal affairs, without the costly burden of a full-time employee. Larger companies may need an independent lawyer
for special projects or situations where in-house counsel lacks certain expertise, has a conflict of interest or simply needs another hand on deck. Others simply wish to use their existing legal resources more effectively.

Stephen B. Kaplitt, Esq. has 19 years of experience as a lawyer in both the private and public sectors, and has led or worked on an aggregate of US$3 billion in transactions and litigation. Most recently, he was General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for an investment management firm with $1.3B in assets under management. During the Bush administration, he served as launch Director of a new U.S. State Department initiative to promote business development in conflict regions. His previous appointment at State was Senior Advisor to the General Counsel at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Before entering government, Kaplitt was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Lumenis Ltd., a Nasdaq-listed multinational manufacturer of medical laser and light technology devices. He began his legal career as an associate at prominent international law firms in New York, where he practiced in mergers and acquisitions, asset-backed financing, international transactions, general corporate and multilateral finance (including a 2-year secondment to the International Finance Corporation in Washington, DC).

KLC is for clients large and small, public and private, domestic and non-U.S., who want greater value from the legal expense line in their balance sheet. Whether acting as outside general counsel, evaluating internal compliance or drafting agreements, KLC can help find the right solution for your legal needs.

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What is an “outside” general counsel ? isn’t that the same as a solo legal practice ?

Solo practitioner brings to mind lawyers like Abraham Lincoln: small town generalists who draft wills and contracts, collect debt, and handle the occasional criminal case. Such lawyers still exist, particularly in rural areas, but they mostly serve the needs of individuals, not sophisticated organizations. For the most part, gone are the days when solo lawyers offered generalized representation to a cross-section of local clients.

Today’s legal landscape is dominated by law firms, and with good reason. Simple legal issues are relatively rare, while complexity and uncertainty are the norm. That means the client’s first task is understanding when and how to utilize specialized legal expertise. Businesses and organizations without in-house counsel may find this kind of self-diagnosis especially difficult.

The solution is an “outside GC” – a seasoned lawyer with extensive law firm and in-house experience, who can provide guidance on a range of matters. This provides all the benefits of a regular GC, without the expense and commitment of a full-time executive. And when specialized skills or knowledge are required, an outside GC helps the client select, manage and collaborate with outside counsel.