David H. Kaplan

With over two decades of experience at the intersection of transactional tax and corporate law, I advise founders, early-stage ventures, and growing businesses on how to scale, fund, and structure with confidence. My background includes complex M&A, cross-border structuring, venture financing, and the kind of hands-on counsel that startups and technology companies need to navigate rapid growth.

I believe good lawyers simplify complexity. I help clients think strategically – not just about legal risks, but about growth, timing, and opportunity. That could mean finding the right structure for a funding round or joint venture, helping a startup avoid tax pitfalls that would hurt their exit, or serving as a sounding board on go-to-market plans. My goal is always the same: be a lawyer clients trust not only for technical answers but also for practical guidance they can act on.

Before joining Avisen, I practiced as a transactional tax partner at Sullivan & Worcester LLP, where I advised global clients – ranging from Fortune 500 companies to cutting-edge technology players – on high-stakes transactions at the heart of internet and communications infrastructure. I later joined New Counsel, PLC to focus more deeply on the work I find most rewarding: partnering with businesses and individuals to bring innovative solutions to life. That focus continues at Avisen, where I’m excited to contribute to a collaborative, entrepreneur-minded team and continue building long-term relationships with clients doing meaningful, forward-thinking work.

I’m proud to have built a practice where communication is clear, relationships are strong, and legal services are aligned with my clients’ goals, not just their contracts. 

I live in the Twin Cities with my amazing wife, our two clever boys, and our very memorable Bergamasco Sheepdog. When I’m not working with clients, I enjoy biking the trails of Minneapolis, playing poker and board games, and making dozens of jars of homemade pickles with my family each August.