Morrison Foerster LLP, a leading global law firm, announced the addition of Joshua Kaplan, who joins the firm as a Partner in its Financial Services and Fintech Groups, within the Transactions Department.
Kaplan’s arrival expands the firm’s cross-border Fintech and financial services capabilities, with particular emphasis advising clients across the full lifecycle of financial regulatory matters, from early-stage companies targeting the U.S. market and global expansion, to well-established financial institutions requiring counsel across a complex, increasingly cross-border regulatory landscape.
Kaplan advises clients operating in the Fintech and financial services sectors, across all stages of a company’s lifecycle, including regulatory, emerging companies and venture capital, corporate, and finance mandates. He has further experience across licensing and change-in-control applications; structuring and approval of novel financial products; anti-money laundering and economic sanctions compliance; interagency information security guidelines; regulatory capital and liquidity; payment processing; and resolution of regulatory enforcement actions. Kaplan joins Morrison Foerster from a U.S.-based global law firm, where he was partner. He has previously held C-Suite, director-level, and in-house roles at a major financial technology company and at global financial institutions. Kaplan began his career as an attorney in the Legal Division of the Federal Reserve Board, in Washington D.C.
As Jeff Silberman, co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Financial Services Group, said,
“Josh’s arrival represents a high-impact opportunity for MoFo, bringing proven global Fintech credentials and a robust practice that aligns well with the firm’s strategic focus areas, including the expansion of our cross-border capabilities and the addition of strength and depth to our UK and EU financial regulatory practice. MoFo’s Fintech practice is recognized as a true international leader and our ability to attract talent like Josh is testament to that. His specialist skills are incredibly valuable to clients, big and small, and we are very excited about welcoming to our firm.”
“Josh brings an impressive Fintech and financial regulatory practice to MoFo, and complementary experience that offers great synergies with other practices in London and worldwide,” said Andrew Boyd, London co-office Managing Partner at Morrison Foerster. “Josh has a rare skillset that allows him to provide deep insights and highly value-added service to clients. His Fintech and financial services advisory work represents a strategic addition for our firm. We also envision him working closely with our M&A, ECVC, Private Equity, Technology Transactions, Privacy and Data Security, and Investigations + White Collar Defense practices.”
“I am excited to be joining Morrison Foerster, working closely with colleagues in London and around the globe, supporting clients in the UK, EU, and beyond targeting U.S. market expansion,” said Kaplan. “Morrison Foerster is a firm that prides itself in advising ambitious, innovative companies operating at the cutting edge, aligning closely with my own experience and focus areas, and I look forward to joining the firm.”
Kaplan joins Morrison Foerster’s Financial Services and Fintech Groups, both of which regularly receive global award, directory, and rankings recognition. He holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and an M.B.A. from INSEAD. Kaplan is admitted to practice by the New York Bar Association.