It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of our long-time colleague, partner and friend, Leigh Stephenson-Kuhn, at the age of 79.
A graduate of Columbia University Law School, Leigh was a Lane Powell attorney for 50 years, joining in 1962 after clerking with U.S. District Court Judge Gus J. Solomon. Leigh was greatly admired by his colleagues for his legal acumen, keen intellect and ever-present smile. Until his retirement in 2012, he was devoted to providing exceptional legal counsel in all areas of employee benefits law and ERISA compliance. He was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for his outstanding work in employee benefits law, named an Oregon Super Lawyer by Oregon Super Lawyers, and honored as one of Portland’s Best Lawyers by Portland Monthly.
Leigh was not only a skilled lawyer; he was an impassioned civic leader, serving the City Club of Portland for 50 years in various leadership capacities, and holding directorships in organizations that included the Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts, Portland Opera Association and Portland State University Foundation. Leigh also shared his leadership talents with Oregon Episcopal School, where he served nearly a decade in roles that included trustee, board president and member of the executive committee. He was a proud Yale alum, and a past president of the Yale Alumni Association of Oregon.
Leigh is survived by his wife Kathleen, and his children.