Roberta Kaplan

Roberta Ann Kaplan is a renowned lawyer known for her focus on commercial litigation and public interest matters and has established a profound legacy in the legal field. Kaplan played a pivotal role in the landmark case United States v. Windsor, where she successfully argued before the Supreme Court, leading to the invalidation of a section of the Defense of Marriage Act and compelling the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages. After a successful tenure at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, she founded her own firm in 2017 and again in 2024. Furthermore, Kaplan co-founded the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund in 2018 and HABIT, an anti-sexual harassment advisory.

Kaplan's legal prowess extends to representing high-profile individuals in significant cases. A prime example of this was her representation of writer E. Jean Carroll in her defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump. During this case, Kaplan argued that Trump had acted with "malice" in his statements, a claim she was prepared to defend in federal court. The results were in favor of her client, with Carroll being awarded damages of $5 million in a civil trial and $83.3 million in a second defamation trial. Kaplan's expertise was also showcased in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Mary L. Trump, accusing President Donald J. Trump and his siblings of financial fraud and civil conspiracy. Another notable case Kaplan worked on was Sines v. Kessler, a civil lawsuit against various organizers, promoters, and participants in the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. For her expertise on the subject, Kaplan was featured in HBO's "No Accident" documentary on the event.

Alongside her legal career, Kaplan has co-authored the book "Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA" with Lisa Dickey, further substantiating her deep understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding same-sex marriage. Her contributions have earned her several accolades, including the Gay Men's Health Crisis Joan H. Tisch Award for Community Service and Philanthropy, the George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award, and recognition as one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals" by Queerty. Kaplan, an openly gay Jewish woman, continues to advocate against racism and for LGBT rights.