Steven B. Kaplan – Partner
Tel: 860.522.1243
Fax: 860.548.0194
E-Mail: skaplan@mkrb.com
Steve Kaplan is an attorney dedicated to Construction & Surety Law. A longtime Arbitrator and Mediator on the Construction and Commercial Panels for the American Arbitration Association and ADR, Inc., he has an in-depth knowledge of construction and contract law that enables him to serve the firm’s clients in multiple capacities.
One of only two Master Mediators on the AAA Construction Mediation Panel for Connecticut, Steve has mediated approximately forty construction and commercial cases. Steve also has served as an arbitrator in over fifty construction and commercial cases. He also is a founding member and past Chairman of the Connecticut Bar Association Construction Law Section.
From 1987-2002, Steve taught Public Construction Contracts at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Since 2004, he has been an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Program for Construction Management at Central Connecticut State University, teaching Construction Law and Construction Financial Management on an annual basis.
Steve is also a prolific writer on case law and current legal issues. From 1981 to 1982, he was Editor-in-Chief of the Connecticut Law Review. From 1995-2010, he co-edited the annual Connecticut Bar Association Construction Case Law Summary and Legislative Review.
Despite a busy courtroom, teaching, and publishing schedule, Steve takes pride in staying in close contact with clients during and even after their cases, tailoring the services he offers to suit their individual needs. This dedication is one of the many reasons why he has been named as one of the Connecticut and New England Super Lawyers® in the area of Construction Litigation for many years running (2007-2024). Steven B. Kaplan was named Lawyer of the Year for Construction Law (Hartford) 2020 by Best Lawyers®.
Education
- Columbia University (Bachelor of Arts – 1974)
- University of Massachusetts (Master of Arts – 1978)
- University of Connecticut School of Law (Juris Doctor – 1982)
Current Memberships
- American Arbitration Association, Construction and Commercial Panels
- Connecticut Bar Association, Construction Law Section Executive Committee
- Hartford County Bar Association
- American Bar Association Forum Committee on the Construction Industry and the Fidelity and Surety Law Committee
Published Articles (authored)
- “Shouldering the Risk: The Growing Problem of Subcontractors Building the Projects While Taking on Most of the Risk,” CONNStruction Winter 2023
- “What Decisionmakers Should Know About Arbitrating Construction Disputes,” August 11, 2023, Michelson, Kane, P.C., Blog (www.mkrb.com)
- “Connecticut’s Set Aside Program: What Can—and Cannot—Be Dictated by Construction Managers On Municipal Projects,” January 18, 2023 Michelson, Kane, P.C., Blog (www.mkrb.com)
- “’Slaughter Clauses’” Ruled Illegal for Listed Subcontracts on State of Connecticut Construction Projects,” June 24, 2021, Michelson, Kane, P.C., Blog (www.mkrb.com)
- “New Contracting Requirements Will Pose Challenges,” 39 Conn.L.Trib. No. 28, 7/15/13
- “Fundamentals of Construction Contracts & Claims (CT)” (Lorman Business Center 2012)
- “Offers of Compromise Could Facilitate Settlements,” 37 Conn. L. Trib. No. 45,11/7/11
- “Next Attorney General Will Encounter Key Issues,” 36 Conn. L. Trib. No. 44, 11/1/10
- “Proposed Contractor Evaluation System Has Pitfalls,” 36 Conn. L. Trib. No. 28, 7/12/10
- “The Language of Mediating Construction and Commercial Disputes,” Presented at ABA Conference– Section of Dispute Resolution, April 9, 2010, San Francisco, CA
- “A Positive Change Regarding Change Directives,” 35 Conn. Law Tribune No. 44 (11/2/09)
- “New Developments in Connecticut Construction Claims” (Lorman Business Center 2007)
- American Arbitration Association: “Arbitration Advocacy for Attorneys” (2005)
- “Construction Deficiencies in Connecticut: Claims & Insurance Issues” (Lorman Business Center, Inc., 2005)
- “Damages for Delay & Other Construction Claims in Connecticut” (Lorman Business Center, Inc., 2005)
- “Termination for Cause from the Surety’s Perspective” (CBA Construction Law Seminar, May 1996)
- “Union Project Labor Agreements,” (CBA Annual Meeting, Construction Law Section, June 1996)
- “Getting Paid: Payment Bond Claims,” Construction Magazine (Fall, 1992)
- “Performance Bond Claims: The Surety’s Defenses – An Update,” ABA Surety/TIPS Mid-winter Conference, 1991
- “The CIA Responds to Its Black Sheep: Censorship and Passport Revocation – The Case of Philip Agee,” 13 Connecticut Law Review 317, 1981
Published Articles (co-authored)
- “Payment for Construction Claims in Connecticut,” (Lorman Business Center, Inc., 1990, 1998, 2004)
- “Labor & Other Regulatory Issues in Connecticut Construction” (Lorman Business Center, Inc., 2004)
- “Public Construction Contracting in Connecticut,” (Lorman Business Center, Inc., 1998-2001)
- “Construction Problems in Connecticut,” (PESI, 1991);
- “Connecticut Construction Claims and Collections,” (PESI, 1988)
- “Connecticut Mechanic’s Liens and Payment Bonds,” (PESI, 1987)