Following a distinguished 27-year career as a diplomat in the United States Foreign Service, Ambassador Philip Kaplan joined the firm’s International practice, where he advises clients on business transactions, public policy and trade policy matters and issues involving foreign governments.

Ambassador Kaplan entered the foreign service after his tenure as counsel to the California Legislature, under a Ford Foundation grant, and in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. From 1989 through 1991, he served as U.S. ambassador and deputy representative to the 22-state Vienna Negotiation on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which ultimately led to an historic treaty reducing force levels in Europe.

Ambassador Kaplan was appointed as U.S. minister, deputy chief of mission and Charge d’Affaires, to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines during the country’s transition period from Ferdinand Marcos to Cory Aquino. Previously, he served as principal deputy assistant secretary of state for policy planning, covering the full range of U.S. foreign policy. Ambassador Kaplan has twice served as senior advisor to the secretary of state. He first acted as senior intelligence officer—responsible for special assignments on Latin America, Europe and East Asia—and later served as senior advisor on the Policy Planning Staff. Ambassador Kaplan’s foreign service career also has included assignments at the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany, the U.S. Mission to the European Community in Brussels and frequent official travel around the world.

Professional Affiliations:
Former professor, International Affairs at Brown University (1991–92)
Former professor, American University (1992–94)
Former professor, George Washington University (1994–95)