Kaplan Martin

Commercial Litigation; Investigations and Crisis Management

Partner

Timothy S. Martin, co-founding partner of Kaplan Martin LLP, handles complex, bet-the-company disputes for organizations and their leadership, bringing a disciplined, business-minded perspective to high-stakes litigation. Martin is a trusted advisor to boards of directors, senior executives, founders, and investors in critical matters where legal risk intersects with business and reputational considerations.  

Drawing on his experience as the former general counsel of MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated, Ronald Perelman’s diversified investment company, Martin works closely with clients to navigate matters as they evolve, integrating legal strategy with broader business objectives and developing pragmatic, multi-forum solutions. He knows how businesses run, how legal disputes can disrupt the normal rhythm of a company, and how outside counsel must seamlessly and effectively integrate with in-house counsel and company leadership to quickly solve the most impactful business issues. His work is defined by sound judgment and the ability to deploy every available lever – legal, strategic, and operational – to manage risk and achieve favorable outcomes.  

Martin’s current cases include representing a leading global beverage company in a series of putative consumer class actions filed across the United States and Canada involving product labeling allegations. In this role, he coordinates strategy across jurisdictions, including dispositive motion practice and efforts to consolidate related actions, while advising the client on parallel, reputationally sensitive matters. He also represents a global sports and entertainment licensing company in affirmative litigation arising from the licensing of a major media brand, asserting claims for breach of contract, tortious interference, and intellectual property infringement. There, Martin’s strategic approach and focused negotiation resulted in a favorable resolution before extended motion practice began. 

Martin’s experience includes a highly contested partnership matter in the Delaware Court of Chancery described by the court as one of the most intensely litigated of its kind; a multibillion-dollar licensing dispute for a global consumer products company; and trade secret and misappropriation claims involving proprietary trading technologies. He has represented founders, investors, and financial institutions in proceedings involving private equity sponsors, hedge funds, and public companies, including securities and disclosure claims, SPAC-related litigation, and complex commercial and intellectual property disputes. 

While Martin often represents companies facing intense public scrutiny, he is equally engaged to navigate highly sensitive matters requiring complete discretion and sound judgment. Martin regularly advises clients in connection with complex governance, regulatory, and crisis-related matters, including internal investigations and regulatory risks. He partners with boards of directors, senior management, and in-house counsel to navigate situations involving activist shareholders, disclosure obligations, and potential enforcement exposure, helping clients manage risk and make informed strategic decisions.  

Martin began his legal career at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where he met co-founding partner Roberta Kaplan.  

He has been recognized by Lawdragon as one of the “Leading Litigators in America” and “Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers.”  

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2001 A.B., Dartmouth College, with Honors, 1994