About Robert B.
Robert B. Kaplan is a seasoned attorney admitted to practice law in California in 1977, holding. He is currently a partner and co-managing partner at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP, a law firm based in San Francisco, California. Mr. Kaplan's practice primarily focuses on creditors' rights and bankruptcy-related matters, serving clients throughout the state and federal courts in California.
Mr. Kaplan earned his Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1977, graduating first in his class. Prior to law school, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1972. His academic excellence laid a strong foundation for his legal career.
Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Kaplan has represented a diverse clientele, including national banks, securitized lenders, community banks, leasing companies, real estate loan servicers, and corporations. His expertise encompasses cases involving the California Commercial Code, real property and personal property transactions, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases involving commercial office buildings, hospitals, hotels, and apartment complexes. He has been involved in all stages of litigation, from initial case evaluation to trial proceedings in both state and federal courts.
Mr. Kaplan has been admitted to practice before several courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Southern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California, and all state courts in California. His extensive experience has enabled him to handle complex commercial cases effectively. Prior to his tenure at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP, he clerked for the Honorable Herbert Schwab, Chief Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, from 1977 to 1978.
Active in the legal community, Mr. Kaplan is a member of the State Bar of California and the Bar Association of San Francisco. He has been recognized for his contributions to the field, including being named one of California's "Top Bankruptcy Lawyers" by the Daily Journal in 2022. He has also been recognized by the Daily Journal as one of California's Top Bankruptcy Lawyers for 2022. Additionally, he has been listed in Northern California Super Lawyers for Creditor/Debtor Rights from 2004 to 2025 and recognized in The Best Lawyers in America from 2008 to 2026. Mr. Kaplan is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing him to serve a diverse clientele effectively.
