It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we share the loss of our friend, colleague, and Managing Partner Stan Jaspan. Stan passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27.

Stan was a brilliant man who worked his entire career at Foley, bringing tremendous leadership, energy, and passion to his job. He made an indelible mark on the firm, and his passion for stewardship has been invaluable for generations of Foley attorneys. The folks he worked with the closest benefitted greatly — as have many across the firm — from knowing and working with Stan. He was always an incredible partner and leader, and the impact he had on Foley is extraordinary.

Stan received his B.A. from Cornell University, followed by his J.D. from Yale University. Immediately after graduating law school, Stan joined Foley in 1971 and eventually became a partner in 1978. During his tenure, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including Labor & Employment Practice Group Chair and Chair of the Partner Selection Committee, before becoming Managing Partner in May 1999. A gifted attorney, he was deeply valued by his clients over the years and had the distinct honor of arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court (Automobile Workers v. Johnson Controls, Inc., 499 U.S. 187 (1991)).

In Stan’s 25 years of service as Managing Partner, the firm achieved remarkable growth, significantly expanding its platform to become a well-integrated law firm. Stan helped oversee the firm’s expansion, either by combination or office opening, in the following cities: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Mexico City, New York, Salt Lake City, Silicon Valley, and Raleigh.

In addition to being an outstanding lawyer and leader, Stan was an even better person. He was the ultimate mentor and guiding voice for so many attorneys and business professionals. Serving as Managing Partner with four different CEOs, he helped guide a generation of leaders at Foley through his selfless dedication to training and teaching and operated in a way that both challenged and encouraged. On all issues, Stan demonstrated a unique leadership ability to gracefully balance what was best for the firm and its future, while making sure it remained true to the tremendous culture he helped build. When Stan was presented the Carl Hitchner Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2022 All Attorney Retreat, Foley Chairman & CEO Daljit Doogal shared a couple of quotes that truly embody Stan:

“Stan constantly challenges me to do my own analysis and reach my own conclusions. If he senses that I’m trying to mimic his analysis, he calls it out even if he agrees with my conclusion. If I rely too much on precedent, he asks why I’m stuck in the past. He already knows the right answer – but he wants me to be the one who comes up with it.”

“He always picks up on things I haven’t thought about or haven’t thought about enough. He offers suggestions but won’t make the decision for me. He always has respected the outcome, no matter what it is, and whether or not he agrees with it. Stan is someone who gives you roots and wings.”

Follow the link for the firm’s formal statement.