ZEV E. KAPLAN, ESQ.
OF COUNSEL

Zev E. Kaplan was the founder of a law firm concentrating its practice in the areas of government relations transportation, infrastructure, business and administrative law. From April 1995 to October 2012 he was General Counsel to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, where he played a key policy role in the start-up of the local transit systems and their facilities. He was the principal drafter of the Regional Transportation Act of Nevada. As counsel to the RTC he was involved in creating procurements for maintenance facilities: IBMF & Sunset; procurement for vehicles, including non-traditional European Hybrid vehicles. He brought together parties to develop Bonneville Transit Center; Oversaw drafting of procurements for bus operations since 1992 and oversaw risk management and legislative activity/saving RTC over $2mm/year. In addition, he has had a major role in the planning and financing of numerous major public infrastructure projects in Las Vegas.

Mr. Kaplan also served as General Counsel to Cash Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ traded company in the financial services industry from 2005-2008 during which he was a member of the executive team; managed all legal matters including outside counsel; coordinated due diligence overseeing acquisition of Borrego Springs Bank’s cash advance/ATM/check cashing business and was part of Executive Team developing cashless gaming product with approval of VISA/Mastercard. Following the acquisition of Cash Systems by Global Cash, Mr. Kaplan served as Associate General Counsel to Global Cash Access, a NYSE traded company from 2008-2009.

In his private practice, Mr. Kaplan has represented numerous clients with development and governmental contract/concession issues before the various local governmental entities in So. Nevada.  Prior to starting his own law firm, he spent fifteen years in government service: As a Senior Deputy D.A. with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office-Civil Division, he served as legal advisor to County’s Finance Department; Univ. Medical Center; and transportation issues. He represented Clark County vs. New Jersey before U.S. Supreme Court appointed special master regarding transport of radioactive waste.

As General Counsel to the Nevada Public Service Commission, Mr. Kaplan managed the legal department and advised the Commission regarding the regulation of electric, gas, telecommunications, cable television & transportation industries. He represented the Commission before the Nevada Legislature in 1981 & 1983; argued cases before Nevada Supreme Court; drafted testimony for PSC presented to U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on break-up of AT&T; and represented State of Nevada on case before U.S. Supreme Court involving jurisdiction of states over nuclear power plant siting.

Mr. Kaplan was a Staff Attorney to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, during which time he participated in the drafting of the Motor Carrier Regulatory Reform Act.

Mr. Kaplan received his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and attended Georgetown University for post-graduate legal studies; a MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and a B.S. from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Mr. Kaplan has an AV preeminent rating from Martindale Hubble. In addition to the practice of law Mr. Kaplan has served as a member of the Founders Fifty-Five (LV), a group who organized and operated the LV Invitational Golf Tournament for many years.  He has also served as the President of the Las Vegas Music Festival. Mr. Kaplan received his varsity letter for basketball, as the manager of the University of Maryland Basketball team from 1970-73.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS and ACTIVITIES

  • State Bar of Nevada
  • S. Supreme Court
  • 5th, 9th& 11thS. Circuit Courts of Appeal
  • S. District Court of Nevada
  • AV preeminent rating – Martindale Hubbell
  • Guest Speaker at American Public Transportation Assoc. Legal Affairs Conferences – 13(c) and labor negotiations; FTA grants; start-up issues of new bus transit system. 1992, 1993, 1995
  • Administrative Law Committee – State Bar of Nevada 1986-1992
  • Former Founding Member, Founders 55s (LV Invitational Golf Tournament)
  • Past President & Board Member of Las Vegas Music Festival
  • National Visitors Council, University of Maryland, College ParkVarsity Letter, University of Maryland Basketball/Manager 1970-73