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Mortimer Caplin, lawyer and educator, is the founding member of Caplin & Drysdale. He holds B.S. and LL.B degrees from University of Virginia, and Doctor of Juridical Science degree from New York University.

First in his class at University of Virginia School of Law, and Editor-in-Chief of Virginia Law Review, Mr. Caplin served as a law clerk to U.S. Circuit Judge Armistead M. Dobie. He then practiced law in New York City from 1941 to 1950, with time out for military service in the U.S. Navy. During the Normandy invasion he served as U.S. Navy beachmaster pdf file, cited as member of initial landing force on Omaha Beach.

In 1950, Mr. Caplin returned to UVA as professor of law, specializing in tax and corporate law and publishing extensively in these fields. Following President John F. Kennedy's election, Mr. Caplin served on the President's Task Force on Taxation and in January 1961 was appointed U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue[1][2]. He remained in that post until July 1964 when he resigned to form the law firm of Caplin & Drysdale.

Mr. Caplin has served as Trustee of many educational and charitable organizations: UVA Board of Visitors; UVA Law School Foundation[3]; George Washington University[4]; Board of Overseers, University of the Virgin Islands; Peace Through Law Education Fund; Arena Stage; Shakespeare Theatre; Wolf Trap Foundation. Mr. Caplin served for over 10 years as Chair, UVA Council for the Arts[5] and recently named Honorary Chair. He now serves on Governing Council of UVA Miller Center of Public Affairs[6]; board of directors, Environmental & Energy Study Institute[7]; Chair, Board of Advisors of the Hospitality & Information Service, Washington, D.C. He is also on the board of directors of Danaher Corporation and Presidential Realty Corporation.

Mr. Caplin has deep commitments to public service, teaching and the educational process itself. His contributions have been recognized by numerous organizations over many years. Most recently he was presented with the [Thomas Jefferson Medal in Law][8][9], University of Virginia's highest honor.

He is married to screenwriter Ruth Sacks[10].

Additional Sources: Virginia Tax Review Association;, D.C. Bar Legends in the Law[11], Caplin & Drysdale[12], UVA's Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center