New  COO for New York firm with national platform for investment managers, corporate and real estate transactions, litigation, tax and trusts & estates; Ms. Sproat brings successful operations management and business development/strategy background from Am Law 100 firms

Reflecting its recent growth as a premier mid-sized law firm, Kleinberg Kaplan announced that experienced legal operations executive and business strategist  RinaSproat has joined as Chief Operating Officer. She is the first to hold that position on a full time basis in the firm’s 47-year history.

Ms. Sproat will be responsible for Kleinberg Kaplan’s operations in administration, human resources and information technology, and help manage overall delivery of services to the firm’s clients, which include many of the world’s leading hedge funds and alternative investment funds, noteworthy business ventures and prominent real estate investors.

Ms. Sproat is a veteran of senior marketing and business development roles at Am Law 100 firms, having previously worked at Clifford Chance, Shearman & Sterling and Baker Botts.

Most recently, she was Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Strategic Implementation at Baker & McKenzie in Tokyo. As a core member of the firm’s Management Committee, she oversaw office-wide business development, client relations, marketing and communications, HR, information technology, office administration, and administrative staff. She helped direct a number of key business and change management initiatives, including devising and executing a five-year strategic plan covering talent management, quality, culture and infrastructure, profitability and key client programs. During her tenure with Am Law 100 firms, she spent time resident in Tokyo, London and New York.

“I am thrilled to welcome Rina Sproat to our firm. She brings superb experience directing operations, administration and strategy for top-tier firms.   We’re certain that Rina’s skill set and background with that elite universe of firms will be a great benefit as we continue expanding our national platform,” said Andrew Chonoles, Kleinberg Kaplan Managing Partner.

“We’ve been fortunate in hitting steady organic growth and profitability for many years, primarily by playing to our historic strengths advising investment managers, investors and family offices in achieving their business objectives,” Mr. Chonoles added. “Now, with the changing markets and business environment,  we are strategically investing in resources to improve and accelerate our client service platform. Our focus in the future is to enhance  our operational efficiencies, incorporate innovation and refine our strategic objectives, and look to Rina to lead those functions.”

Ms. Sproat commented about her move: “Having worked with global, broad-practice firms for so many years, I’m excited to apply my experience and knowledge to an entrepreneurial firm with a concentrated mix of complementary practices. Kleinberg Kaplan has an outstanding track record advising leading investment funds and their principals on business formation and transactional matters, as well as handling in their most challenging tax, regulatory, litigation and trust and estate issues. The robust and focused nature of the office enables quicker change and faster execution of advanced legal services. I’m looking forward to helping Kleinberg Kaplan run its day-to-day business in the most efficient, value-driven and advanced way it can for its attorneys and staff, and of course, its clients.”

Ms. Sproat holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a native speaker in Japanese and English.