Roberta Kaplan

Roberta Kaplan

Keynote Speaker: Partner at Kaplan Martin LLP; Lead Attorney on the Supreme Court DOMA Gay Rights Case & Carroll v. Trump

Roberta Kaplan Biography

Roberta Ann Kaplan is a renowned lawyer known for her focus on commercial litigation and public interest matters and has established a profound legacy in the legal field. Kaplan played a pivotal role in the landmark case United States v. Windsor, where she successfully argued before the Supreme Court, leading to the invalidation of a section of the Defense of Marriage Act and compelling the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages. After a successful tenure at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, she founded her own firm in 2017 and again in 2024. Furthermore, Kaplan co-founded the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund in 2018 and HABIT, an anti-sexual harassment advisory.

Kaplan's legal prowess extends to representing high-profile individuals in significant cases. A prime example of this was her representation of writer E. Jean Carroll in her defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump. During this case, Kaplan argued that Trump had acted with "malice" in his statements, a claim she was prepared to defend in federal court. The results were in favor of her client, with Carroll being awarded damages of $5 million in a civil trial and $83.3 million in a second defamation trial. Kaplan's expertise was also showcased in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Mary L. Trump, accusing President Donald J. Trump and his siblings of financial fraud and civil conspiracy. Another notable case Kaplan worked on was Sines v. Kessler, a civil lawsuit against various organizers, promoters, and participants in the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. For her expertise on the subject, Kaplan was featured in HBO's "No Accident" documentary on the event.

Alongside her legal career, Kaplan has co-authored the book "Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA" with Lisa Dickey, further substantiating her deep understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding same-sex marriage. Her contributions have earned her several accolades, including the Gay Men's Health Crisis Joan H. Tisch Award for Community Service and Philanthropy, the George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award, and recognition as one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals" by Queerty. Kaplan, an openly gay Jewish woman, continues to advocate against racism and for LGBT rights.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Roberta Kaplan and other top speakers and celebrities.

Roberta Kaplan Speaking Topics

The Gay Rights Revolution

In this talk, charismatic Roberta A. Kaplan recounts the high-stakes trial Windsor v. United States and asks what are the parallels between this case and other historic civil rights cases? Which groups—corporate, community, religious—were instrumental in the victory? What are the immediate and long-term ramifications throughout the country, on college campuses and in corporate America? What’s next? Kaplan answers these vital questions, but, at core, her talk—delivered with gravitas, humor and deep compassion—is about two people: Edith Windsor and her late wife, Thea Spyer. This is a powerful talk that will inspire faith in the legal system, and, more importantly, in our collective ability to enact important social change.

Gay Rights 1 of 1

Roberta A. Kaplan is the lawyer who argued—and won—the Supreme Court case that produced one of the most important civil rights decisions of our time. Kaplan’s victory on behalf of her client (and friend) Edith Windsor in Windsor v. United States is a turning point in the history of the right to marry for gay couples, gay civil rights and American life. In this speech, Kaplan discusses why the 2013 decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a watershed moment for human rights. She also touches upon the changing social, political, legal, and economic context in which gay people have lived in the last half century.

The Gay Rights Revolution: How Roberta Kaplan and Edith Windsor Transformed Marriage for Gay Couples

The Supreme Court case Windsor v. United States—which struck down DOMA—has changed the course of gay rights in America. In this talk, charismatic lead counsel Roberta Kaplan recounts the high-stakes trial and traces the significance of the win. What are the parallels between this case and other historic civil rights cases? Which groups—corporate, community, religious—were instrumental in the victory? What are the immediate and long-term ramifications throughout the country, on college campuses and in corporate America? What’s next? Kaplan answers these vital questions, but, at core, her talk—delivered with gravitas, humor, and deep compassion—is about two people: Edith Windsor and her late wife, Thea Spyer. Their decades-long relationship, Kaplan notes, runs parallel with the changing social, political, legal, and economic context in which gay people lived in the last half century. “The love affair and the marriage that Edie and Thea had is the kind of marriage that any of us, gay or straight or young or old, rich or poor, would be so lucky to have,” Kaplan has said. “And I believed instantaneously that was a story Americans would understand.” This is a powerful talk that will inspire faith in the legal system, and, more importantly, in our collective ability to enact important social change.

Roberta Kaplan Videos

Roberta Kaplan speaks at Harvard Law School's 2019 Class Day
2015 ALA Annual Conference - Roberta Kaplan on Living Gay

How do I book Roberta Kaplan to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Roberta Kaplan for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Roberta Kaplan, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Roberta Kaplan or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Roberta Kaplan for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Roberta Kaplan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Roberta Kaplan, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Roberta Kaplan speak about?

Roberta Kaplan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Law, Diversity & Inclusion, Influential Women, Psychology, Women, LGBTQ, Government, Social Justice and Jewish Heritage.

Where does Roberta Kaplan travel from?

Roberta Kaplan generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Roberta Kaplan?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Roberta Kaplan for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Roberta Kaplan for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Roberta Kaplan or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Roberta Kaplan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Law, Diversity & Inclusion and Influential Women. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Roberta Kaplan generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Martine Rothblatt, Fawzia Koofi and Gloria Allred. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Roberta Kaplan for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/10/2024.

Roberta Kaplan Speaking Topics

  • The Gay Rights Revolution

    In this talk, charismatic Roberta A. Kaplan recounts the high-stakes trial Windsor v. United States and asks what are the parallels between this case and other historic civil rights cases? Which groups—corporate, community, religious—were instrumental in the victory? What are the immediate and long-term ramifications throughout the country, on college campuses and in corporate America? What’s next? Kaplan answers these vital questions, but, at core, her talk—delivered with gravitas, humor and deep compassion—is about two people: Edith Windsor and her late wife, Thea Spyer. This is a powerful talk that will inspire faith in the legal system, and, more importantly, in our collective ability to enact important social change.

  • Gay Rights 1 of 1

    Roberta A. Kaplan is the lawyer who argued—and won—the Supreme Court case that produced one of the most important civil rights decisions of our time. Kaplan’s victory on behalf of her client (and friend) Edith Windsor in Windsor v. United States is a turning point in the history of the right to marry for gay couples, gay civil rights and American life. In this speech, Kaplan discusses why the 2013 decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a watershed moment for human rights. She also touches upon the changing social, political, legal, and economic context in which gay people have lived in the last half century.

  • The Gay Rights Revolution: How Roberta Kaplan and Edith Windsor Transformed Marriage for Gay Couples

    The Supreme Court case Windsor v. United States—which struck down DOMA—has changed the course of gay rights in America. In this talk, charismatic lead counsel Roberta Kaplan recounts the high-stakes trial and traces the significance of the win. What are the parallels between this case and other historic civil rights cases? Which groups—corporate, community, religious—were instrumental in the victory? What are the immediate and long-term ramifications throughout the country, on college campuses and in corporate America? What’s next? Kaplan answers these vital questions, but, at core, her talk—delivered with gravitas, humor, and deep compassion—is about two people: Edith Windsor and her late wife, Thea Spyer. Their decades-long relationship, Kaplan notes, runs parallel with the changing social, political, legal, and economic context in which gay people lived in the last half century. “The love affair and the marriage that Edie and Thea had is the kind of marriage that any of us, gay or straight or young or old, rich or poor, would be so lucky to have,” Kaplan has said. “And I believed instantaneously that was a story Americans would understand.” This is a powerful talk that will inspire faith in the legal system, and, more importantly, in our collective ability to enact important social change.

Roberta Kaplan Videos

Roberta Kaplan speaks at Harvard Law School's 2019 Class Day
2015 ALA Annual Conference - Roberta Kaplan on Living Gay
  • How do I book Roberta Kaplan to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Roberta Kaplan for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Roberta Kaplan, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Roberta Kaplan or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Roberta Kaplan for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Roberta Kaplan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Roberta Kaplan, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Roberta Kaplan speak about?

    Roberta Kaplan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Law, Diversity & Inclusion, Influential Women, Psychology, Women, LGBTQ, Government, Social Justice and Jewish Heritage.
  • Where does Roberta Kaplan travel from?

    Roberta Kaplan generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Roberta Kaplan?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Roberta Kaplan for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Roberta Kaplan for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Roberta Kaplan or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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