- Acumen Powered by Robins Kaplan LLP®
- Affirmative Recovery
- American Indian Law and Policy
- Antitrust and Trade Regulation
- Appellate Advocacy and Guidance
- Business Litigation
- Civil Rights and Police Misconduct
- Class Action Litigation
- Commercial/Project Finance and Real Estate
- Corporate Governance and Special Situations
- Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy
- Domestic and International Arbitration
- Entertainment and Media Litigation
- Health Care Litigation
- Insurance and Catastrophic Loss
- Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation
- Mass Tort Attorneys
- Medical Malpractice Attorneys
- Personal Injury Attorneys
- Telecommunications Litigation and Arbitration
- Wealth Planning, Administration, and Fiduciary Disputes
Acumen Powered by Robins Kaplan LLP®
Ediscovery, Applied Science and Economics, and Litigation Support Solutions
-
October 14, 2024Raoul Shah Recognized as New Volunteer Attorney of the Year by Tubman
-
October 14, 2024Robins Kaplan Receives LAAC Award of Merit for Landmark Ruling Benefiting Homeless Veterans
-
October 10, 2024Michael Collyard and Ronald Schutz Named to Minnesota Lawyer’s Power 30: Business Litigation List
-
October 20, 2024License Agreement Disputes:
-
October 21, 2024How Much Did We Invest in AI?
-
October 22, 2024Justice for All: Minnesota's Civil Legal Aid and Pro Bono Landscape
-
September 2024Meet Our New Partner and Trial Advocacy Seminar Keynote Speaker: B. Todd Jones
-
September 2024Q&A with Alan Harter, Founder of Pactolus Private Wealth Management
-
August 2024Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Attorneys: Building an Inclusive Legal Profession
-
September 16, 2022Uber Company Systems Compromised by Widespread Cyber Hack
-
September 15, 2022US Averts Rail Workers Strike With Last-Minute Tentative Deal
-
September 14, 2022Hotter-Than-Expected August Inflation Prompts Massive Wall Street Selloff
Find additional firm contact information for press inquiries.
Find resources to help navigate legal and business complexities.
Up Close with Elliot Kaplan
Spring 2008
This interview originally appeared in the spring 2008 issue of Legacy, a publication for donors and friends of the University of Minnesota published by the U of M Foundation. Used with permission.
Elliot Kaplan is glad he got his U of M law degree when he did: "Grade point averages of incoming students have risen so high, I wouldn't get in today!" he says of the U's position as a top Law School. Kaplan, '57 B.A., '61 J.D., has played a big part in achieving that greatness. He led a $55 million capital campaign and has served in numerous alumni advisory roles. The successful lawyer has come a long way since he worked his way though the U selling women's shoes. Recently, he's found a fit as the new U of M Foundation board chair.
Why have you chosen education as a cause to support?
My wife, Eloise, and I have five children and they each have a spouse. They have all pursued college educations, which is a very important family value. A good education is critical in today's society, and it goes beyond skills learned in math or English class. It is also about learning the importance of social values, ethics, and justice. You will only succeed if you believe in a value system and have a sound educational foundation.
How did you develop those values?
Growing up in St. Paul, my parents encouraged me to get an education. They could not afford to attend college, but knew how important it was for my brother and me to attend the U. When I entered the U, tuition was $75 a quarter. I had to work 30 hours a week to cover tuition, living expenses, and gas for the car. There were no scholarships. I learned that many qualified students were denied an education because of their financial situation and the lack of scholarships. This is why Eloise and I started our scholarship, which provides opportunities for qualified minority students at the Law School.
Why did you give your scholarship a preference for minority students?
The legal profession should represent the community in which we live. If you don't have a diverse work force, you will not have the benefit of diverse points of view that enable you to better serve your clients. Enabling minority students to receive a good legal education will, hopefully, bring more diverse voices into the profession.
You've also given a lot of your time to the Law School. Why?
I love the profession. The law safeguards the rights of every individual in this country. We need to make sure that the doors to justice remain open to everyone-rich and poor-regardless of race, religion, or gender. Serving the Law School allows me to strengthen the quality of the school by better educating its students, and allows me to repay my debt for the education I received.
What's your view of private giving at the U?
The private sector must become a major funding partner in transforming the University into a top-three public research university. It's simply a matter of saying, "Do we want the U to be the best?" If we want a great university that is an outstanding educational and research institution, and one that creates future leaders for Minnesota businesses and society, then we must support the U.
Related Professionals
Elliot S. Kaplan
Chair Emeritus
Related Publications
Related News
If you are interested in having us represent you, you should call us so we can determine whether the matter is one for which we are willing or able to accept professional responsibility. We will not make this determination by e-mail communication. The telephone numbers and addresses for our offices are listed on this page. We reserve the right to decline any representation. We may be required to decline representation if it would create a conflict of interest with our other clients.
By accepting these terms, you are confirming that you have read and understood this important notice.