Varnum corporate and tax attorney Kaplin S. Jones is the 2021 recipient of the Dave & Carol Van Andel Leadership Award, given by the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Jones will be recognized at the museum’s 13th annual Legacy Awards Gala on Nov. 4.
Jones was honored for his long-time service to the GRPM Foundation, for which he served as counsel for more than 30 years. The foundation serves as the fundraising entity to support the Grand Rapids Public Museum educational program, exhibits and operations. Jones filed the foundation’s articles of incorporation in 1988 and served on the Board of Directors until moving from the area in late 2019.
Jones’ legal practice focuses on advising clients regarding business formation and transactions, joint ventures and LLCs, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, shareholder and partner disputes, and tax planning. He structures tax-free reorganizations and like-kind property exchanges, phantom stock and deferred compensation plans for executives, and advises tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations.