Ira C. Kaplan

Ira C. Kaplan

Executive Chairman of the Firm, Executive Committee Member

Overview

Ira focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions as well as public and private debt and equity financings. He also works extensively in the healthcare services sector, including dental service organizations (DSOs) and other healthcare services such as behavioral health, physician practice management, revenue cycle management, and home health companies.   

Ira represents both publicly and privately held companies at various stages of growth. He has been involved in planning for growth companies, helping to position them for growth and liquidity. Ira serves as outside General Counsel to many of his clients and also represents private equity, and subordinated debt funds, family offices, as well as the portfolio companies of these funds and offices.

Ira is the firm’s Executive Chairman and serves as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Ira served as Managing Partner of the firm from 2008 to 2014. Prior to that, he served as Associate Managing Partner from 2007 to 2008. Ira has co-chaired the firm’s Corporate Practice Group and Private Equity Group.

Healthcare+

Ira Kaplan has represented both early stage and growth companies at various stages. He has represented biotech companies, including medical device companies and therapeutic companies, from inception through sale, including through various stages of seed, venture and growth capital funding. Ira also has represented mature companies through various stages of growth and capitalization and exit. Those companies include service providers such as medical and dental management companies, health care IT companies, home health companies and revenue cycle management companies. He has represented both operating companies and funds in their acquisition and financing of platform companies.

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Experience

Credentials

Education

University of Rochester, 1976, B.A.
  • Political Science
  • Scott Paper Scholarship Award
  • Student Life Award
George Washington University Law School, 1979, J.D.

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Ohio

More

  • Executive Committee Member, Jewish Federation of Cleveland
  • Board Chair Elect and Executive Committee Member, United Way of Greater Cleveland
    • Past Campaign Co-Chair
    • Past Loaned Executive Program Co-Chair
  • Board and Executive Committee Member and Past Board Chair, Bellefaire JCB
  • Emeritus Board Member and Past Board Chair, Cleveland Leadership Center
  • Life Board Member and Past Board Chair, Engage! Cleveland
  • Board Member and Past Board Chair, Mount Sinai Health Foundation
  • Board Member and Past Board Chair, Wingspan Care Group
  • Board Member, Downtown Cleveland Alliance
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, President’s Circle, Cleveland American Jewish Committee
  • Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Member and Co-Chair, Health and Long-Term Care Committee, Jewish Federation of North America
  • Former Board and Executive Committee Member, Business Volunteers Unlimited
  • Former Board Member, Trustee and Past Board Chair, Council Gardens
  • Former Executive Committee Member, Trustee and Past Board Chair, Menorah Park Center for Senior Living
  • Served, Governor’s Third Frontier Task Force on Biotechnology
  • Leadership Cleveland, Class of 2003
  • Listed, Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Venture Capital Law, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2006-2026
  • Named, Cleveland Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021
  • Named Lawyer of the Year, Cleveland Venture Capital Law, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2016
  • Named Lawyer of the Year, Cleveland Mergers and Acquisitions Law, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2015

  • Named Lawyer of the Year, Cleveland Corporate Law, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2010

  • Listed, Chambers USA Leading Lawyers, Corporate/M&A, 2011-2025
  • Listed, Cleveland Magazine 500 List, 2022-2025 
  • Listed, Crain’s Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders, 2023
  • Listed, Ohio Super Lawyers 2004-2020
  • Listed, Leading Lawyers, Inside Business Magazine
  • Recipient, ORT America’s Ohio Maimonides Award, 2025
  • Recipient, Engage! Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022
  • Recipient, Cleveland Jewish News Difference Makers Award, 2019
  • Recipient, Jewish Federation Gries Family Award, 2018
  • Recipient, Menorah Park David N. Myers Award, 2018
  • Recipient, ORT America Jurisprudence Award, 2014
  • AV®Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review