New York

Kaplan Martin continues to strengthen its reputation as one of New York's premier litigation boutiques, earning recognition in New York and nationally for constitutional litigation while also appearing among the Top 20 Trial Law Firms and Top Boutiques. The firm has built a practice around high-stakes, complex disputes, attracting sophisticated clients seeking conflict-free counsel and partner-level attention on bet-the-company matters. As one client explains, Kaplan Martin handles "bet the company litigation type work" and is valued for being "super-smart, highly motivated, practical and sensible."

At the forefront of the practice is Roberta Kaplan, whose profile continues to resonate throughout the market. Peers consistently cite her among the country's elite litigators, with one describing her as "hands down the best lawyer I know" and praising her relentless focus on securing results for clients. Others note that she remains "very, very strong," while another agrees with her placement as one of Benchmark’s Top 10 Women in Litigation this year. Her prominence was on display in the firm's representation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in the groundbreaking congestion pricing litigation. Alongside Kaplan, D. Brandon Trice successfully defended New York's first-in-the-nation congestion pricing program against numerous constitutional and statutory challenges while also pursuing litigation against the federal government following efforts to revoke the program's approval. The matter carried more than $15 billion in implications for New York's transportation infrastructure and resulted in a series of significant victories that preserved the program and its associated funding.

Trice is increasingly recognized as one of the firm's rising stars. His work on the congestion pricing litigation and other constitutional matters has drawn attention both within and outside the firm. One colleague describes him as "one of the most exciting young lawyers in New York," adding that it has been "terrific to get to sit next to him" on such consequential matters. Trice also played a key role alongside Kaplan in Imran Ahmed v. Marco Rubio et al., a high-profile constitutional challenge involving allegations of government retaliation against protected speech. The team successfully secured an emergency temporary restraining order preventing the detention and deportation of Ahmed, the CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, in a matter that could shape future limits on executive authority.

The firm's commercial litigation capabilities are anchored in part by Timothy Martin, a former general counsel whose business-minded approach receives strong praise from clients. One client notes that Martin consistently places client concerns first, balancing commercial priorities, reputational considerations, and litigation risk while remaining highly responsive and practical. Peers likewise describe him as "very good" and point to the sophistication of his strategic thinking. Martin recently partnered with Kaplan and Trice in representing Authentic Brand Group in litigation arising from the termination of a Sports Illustrated licensing agreement. The dispute involved claims exceeding $45 million and culminated in a favorable settlement that avoided the costs and uncertainty of prolonged litigation.
The firm's depth is further reflected in the contributions of Ellen Holloman, who earns praise for her ability to navigate complex and sensitive disputes. One peer describes her as "warm, kind, funny, intense, brilliant, and ruthlessly focused on winning on behalf of her clients." Her reputation complements the firm's broader strength in contentious commercial, constitutional, and employment-related matters.

Clients and peers alike emphasize the firm's nimble, hands-on approach and willingness to pursue creative resolutions without losing sight of courtroom strategy. One peer observes that the lawyers are "top notch litigators and strategists" who are equally comfortable achieving results through negotiation or taking matters "all the way to trial and to the Supreme Court." With strengths spanning constitutional, commercial and crisis-related litigation, Kaplan Martin continues to be regarded by peers and clients as one of the market's leading litigation boutiques.


Updated October 2026