Attorneys
Stephenson-Kuhn, Leigh D.

Practices & Industries

Leigh D. Stephenson-Kuhn

Of Counsel | Portland | 503.778.2110 | stephensonl@lanepowell.com

Areas of Practice

Leigh Stephenson-Kuhn has been practicing general business since 1962 with specialization in employee benefits, including pension, profit sharing, 401(k), health and compensation plans and agreements; tax qualified ERISA single employer, multiple-employer and multiemployer plans; advice regarding tax law qualification and exemption and ERISA compliance; nonqualified compensation and incentive programs; drafting of plan documents and communications to employees; counseling fiduciaries, administrators and other service providers; handling disputes and litigation regarding employee benefit claims, employer withdrawal liability, and trust asset allocation; and other employee benefit compensation matters. Other business practice includes planning and transactions for corporations and other businesses.

Admitted to Practice

  • Oregon

Academics

  • Columbia University (LL.B., 1961)
  • Yale University (B.A., 1958)

Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships

  • Business
  • Employee Benefits
  • ERISA Litigation
  • Labor and Employment
  • Litigation

Publications

  • “Legal Requirements of the Retirement Equity Act (REA),” Employee Benefits Annual, 1985

Speaking Engagements

  • “Annual Meeting of International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans,” 1985

Awards and Honors

  • Named an Oregon “Super Lawyer,” Oregon Super Lawyers magazine, 2006
  • Named one of Portland’s Best Lawyers by Portland Monthly magazine, 2006
  • Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, 1998-2010

Professional and Community Activities

  • Member, Oregon State Bar engaged in private practice with this firm since 1962
  • Member, Western Pension Conference
  • Member, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
  • Member, Oregon State Bar Committees on Uniform Jury Instructions and Unauthorized Practice of Law
  • Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education projects on Advising Business (1971), Damages (1973), and Financing Business (1981)
  • Clerk-Bailiff to The Honorable Gus J. Solomon, Senior U.S. District Court Judge (1962)
  • Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts; Director (1992-2001); Executive Committee (1991-2000)
  • Portland Opera Association; Director (1986-1993); Executive Committee (1986-1993); Board President (1991-1992)
  • Oregon Episcopal School; Trustee (1982-1991); Executive Committee (1985-1991); Board President (1988-1990)
  • Portland State University Foundation; Director (1978-1990); Executive Committee (1984-1990); Board President (1984-87)
  • City Club of Portland (1962 to present), past service as First Vice President, Second Vice President and Secretary, Chairman and member of Research Board, and member of several study committees (chaired committee report in 1978 on the role of Portland State University in the community which was honored as the best of the 1970s)
  • Past President, Yale Alumni Association of Oregon and past Oregon delegate, Association of Yale Alumni