Robert B. Kaplan

Robert B. Kaplan is a California lawyer, partner, chair of the Bankruptcy Department, chair of San Francisco at Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP, with more than 44 years of experience in creditors’ rights, bankruptcy law, and commercial litigation. He represents national banks, community banks, securitized lenders, leasing companies, loan servicers, and corporations. His work includes Chapter 11 proceedings, secured lending disputes, judicial foreclosures, receiverships, and lender liability claims. He handles matters involving commercial real estate, personal property, loan enforcement, and California Commercial Code issues.

Robert earned his B.S., summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He later earned his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law, graduating first in his class. His academic record provided a strong foundation for a career involving bankruptcy law, commercial transactions, secured lending, and complex financial disputes.

Robert has extensive experience prosecuting and defending commercial cases in state and federal courts. He represents lenders in loan workouts, forbearance agreements, foreclosures, Chapter 11 cases, and disputes involving lien priority or collateral. His receivership work includes seeking receiver appointments, structuring receivership loans, and representing court-appointed receivers. He has defended financial institutions against breach of contract and fraud claims. Earlier in his career, he clerked for Oregon Court of Appeals Chief Judge Herbert Schwab.

Robert B. Kaplan brings decades of bankruptcy and creditors’ rights experience to complex lending and restructuring matters. He has represented lenders in disputes involving major commercial properties, hospitals, hotels, apartment complexes, and other secured assets. His admissions include California courts, federal district and bankruptcy courts, and the Ninth Circuit. His professional recognition includes Best Lawyers in America, Northern California Super Lawyers, and recognition among California’s Top Bankruptcy Lawyers by the Daily Journal.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP
• Member, State Bar of California
• Member, Bar Association of San Francisco

Licensed State

• California

Education

• Golden Gate University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• State University of New York at Stony Brook
  Bachelor of Science (BS)