Atty. Kaplin S. Jones
Kaplin concentrates his corporate practice on advising clients regarding choice of entity and transactional tax planning; structuring tax-free reorganizations and like-kind property exchanges; setting up and advising tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations; handling IRS audits and appeals hearings; commencing and settling tax litigation; formulating and drafting tax opinions; and preparing IRS ruling requests. Kaplin negotiates and structures the following types of transactions: asset and property acquisitions; stock purchases and sales; cash mergers, spin-offs, and tax-free reorganizations; lev
Profile Summary
About Kaplin S. Jones at a glance
Kaplin S. Jones is a business and tax attorney based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practicing at Varnum Llp. Admitted to practice in Michigan, State Bar of Michigan, Utah, Utah State Bar, and District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar. Educated at Brigham Young University (J.D., 1981) and Brigham Young University (BS, 1978). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Serands clients in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Kaplin concentrates his corporate practice on advising clients regarding choice of entity and transactional tax planning
- structuring tax-free reorganizations and like-kind property exchanges
- setting up and advising tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations
- handling IRS audits and appeals hearings
- commencing and settling tax litigation
- formulating and drafting tax opinions
- and preparing IRS ruling requests
- Kaplin negotiates and structures the following types of transactions: asset and property acquisitions
- stock purchases and sales
- cash mergers, spin-offs, and tax-free reorganizations
- leveraged buyouts and stock redemptions
- He has formed hundreds of limited liability companies, partnerships, and joint ventures
- structured mergers and conversions of such entities
- and advised regarding tax planning, buyout provisions, option arrangements, shareholder agreements, and management and split-up issues
- He consults regarding nonqualified compensation planning
- drafts nonqualified and incentive stock options
- develops and drafts plans involving stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, and unrestricted stock
- analyzes "golden parachute" problems
- prepares employment agreements and bonus formulas
- and consults regarding rabbi trusts, key man insurance and other nonqualified benefits
Practice Areas Explained
Kaplin S. Jones's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Kaplin S. Jones handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Kaplin S. Jones is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
Kaplin S. Jones is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Michigan
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Grand Rapids are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Grand Rapids or all attorneys in Michigan.
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