Stuart R. Kaplan

Stuart R. Kaplan is a distinguished business and corporate attorney based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a partner at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC. Renowned for his strategic acumen and client-centered philosophy, he delivers comprehensive counsel to a diverse roster of for-profit and not-for-profit entities. His practice covers every facet of business law, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, employment matters, tax structuring and health care compliance.

Over nearly four decades, Mr. Kaplan has guided entrepreneurs, executives, hospitals, physicians and charitable organizations through complex legal landscapes. He routinely drafts and interprets contracts, structures purchase and sale agreements for businesses and realty, and resolves governance disputes among owners. His deep understanding of ownership transition planning, royalty and licensing arrangements, limited liability company formations and incentive-compensation schemes, including phantom stock and stock option plans, enables clients to execute sophisticated transactions with confidence.

In the health care arena, Mr. Kaplan’s competence in Stark Law and Federal Anti-Kickback statutes ensures that providers and payors navigate regulatory requirements with precision. He has advised large health plans on credentialing and databank reporting, supported clients in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and gaming licensure matters and facilitated bank financings and tax-free reorganizations. His trademark “human touch” combines technical prowess with practical insight, delivering tailored solutions that withstand regulatory scrutiny and market volatility.

A Washington and Lee University School of Law graduate (1985), Mr. Kaplan is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2024–2026) for health care law and real estate law and holds an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. His published insights and speaking engagements further underscore his commitment to thought leadership and unprecedented client service.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.