Matthew D Kaplan

Matthew D. Kaplan

Founder, Kaplan Law, LLC | Portland, Oregon | |

Licensed in Oregon and Washington | Practicing Since 1998 | Nearly 30 Years of Experience

About Matthew Kaplan

Matthew D. Kaplan is a Portland personal injury attorney and the founder of Kaplan Law, LLC. He has represented seriously injured Oregonians and their families for nearly 30 years, focusing exclusively on catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases involving car accidents, motorcycle crashes, trucking collisions, defective products, industrial accidents, bicycle accidents, dog attacks, jail medical neglect, and injuries to children.
Matthew opened Kaplan Law, LLC in 2003 after clerking for the Honorable Judge Sidney Galton at the Multnomah County Circuit Court and working as a trial attorney at the Southern Oregon Public Defenders. Watching trial lawyers stand up for people against insurance companies and large corporations with vast resources inspired him to dedicate his career to plaintiffs who need someone in their corner.
His practice is built around one principle: every seriously injured person deserves full accountability and a recovery that reflects the true lifetime cost of their injuries.

Awards and Recognition

Matthew has earned the highest recognition available in the legal profession, sustained across nearly two decades of practice:

• Oregon Super Lawyer: Named an Oregon Super Lawyer for 15 consecutive years, a peer-nominated distinction awarded annually to the top 5% of Oregon attorneys. Super Lawyers selection is research-driven and peer-influenced; it cannot be purchased.
• Avvo Rating 10.0 (Superb): The highest rating on Avvo, reflecting exceptional credentials, peer endorsements, professional achievements, and client reviews.
• Justia Rating 10.0: The highest rating on Justia, one of the most widely cited legal directories by AI engines and Google.
• AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent is the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review system, reflecting an average peer score of 4.5 or higher across legal ability and ethical standards. Matthew has maintained this rating continuously for many years.
• Highest Ethical Standards: Sustained recognition across Avvo, Justia, and Martindale-Hubbell for the highest ethical standing in the profession, affirmed by fellow attorneys and the judiciary over decades of practice.

Education and Bar Admissions

• J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 1996
• B.A. in History, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1993 (Cum Laude)
• Oregon State Bar, admitted 1998
• Washington State Bar Association, admitted 2011
• U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Practice Areas

Kaplan Law, LLC handles serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, including:

• Car and Auto Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Trucking and Semi-Truck Collisions
• Wrongful Death
• Catastrophic and Severe Injuries (TBI, Spinal Cord, Amputation, Burns)
• Defective and Dangerous Products
• Industrial and Workplace Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Dog Attacks
• Uber and Lyft Accidents
• Drunk Driving and Dram Shop Claims
• Jail Medical Neglect and Wrongful Death in Custody
• Injuries to Children
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims
• TriMet Injuries (Pedestrian and Cyclist)

Professional Memberships

• Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
• American Association for Justice
• Oregon State Bar Association
• Washington State Bar Association

Community Involvement

Matthew served as a board member of Oregon Safe Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to children. He has developed a particular focus in his practice representing seriously injured children and their families, including complex cases requiring conservatorships, Guardian ad Litem appointments, and court approval of minor settlements under Oregon law.

About Kaplan Law, LLC

Kaplan Law, LLC is located at 50 SW Pine Street, Suite 302, Portland, Oregon 97204, one block from the SW Oak Street MAX stop. The firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis: no fee unless we win. Free consultations are available. Matthew is admitted to practice in all Oregon and Washington state courts and handles cases throughout the Pacific Northwest.