Steve Ledoux

Stephen Richard Ledoux, cherished husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed away on May 19, 2024, at the age of 65. Steve is lovingly remembered by Sara, his devoted wife of 30 years; their children, Elizabeth, Alexander, and Daniel; and his mother, Jean Ledoux. He is also deeply missed by his siblings, Peter Ledoux, Teresa Totte, and Michele Ledoux, as well as his extended family, including his mother and father-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Ledoux. Steve's passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who knew him. 

 

Steve was born to Jean and Richard Ledoux in Spencer, Massachusetts, on March 14, 1959, the eldest of four children. At Greenville High School in Michigan, Steve excelled in academics, football, music, and student government; he represented the State of Michigan at Boys' Nation, was in a band with his brother and friends, and forged lifelong friendships.

 

During his undergraduate years at the University of Notre Dame, Steve's deep compassion and empathy drove his tireless work and devotion to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Bend, for which the University of Notre Dame awarded him the first-of-its-kind "Outstanding Service Award." A proud Keenanite for four years, Steve played lead guitar in a jazz band for the annual Keenan Review talent show. Notre Dame classmates long remembered his brilliant smile and contagious friendliness. He graduated summa cum laude in 1981 and remained an avid and lifelong supporter of the Fighting Irish.

 

His dedication to service continued at Harvard Law School. He again mentored at-risk youth through Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He was a highly valued member of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, passionately and effectively representing low-income clients facing housing challenges. Much to the chagrin of his advisors, he took a gap year (unheard of in those days) to travel abroad. He traveled around Europe, worked on a Kibbutz in Israel then eturned to Paris, where he fell in love with the city, found a job as a garçon au pair (radical for the time), and cared for two boys.  He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1985, cum laude.

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With a law degree in hand, Steve started his legal career working at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in Florida, continuing his public service. With a love of real estate law, Steve then moved to San Francisco and joined the law firm Graham & James. While there, he represented a client in acquiring the Monterey Plaza Hotel on the Monterey Peninsula, one of the area's highest-profile hotel deals. During this process, he captured the heart of their public relations director, Sara Schmitz. They were married in 1994 and started their family.

 

During his 20 years in San Francisco, Steve expanded his expertise. As a partner at MacKenzie and Albritton (1991-1999), he developed and grew his real estate practice. As an executive overseeing business development at Mondo Media (1999-2001), Steve helped shape the then-nascent online media sector. With the entrepreneurial bug, he returned to law and ran his own firm, Ledoux Esquire (2001-2008). In 2008, the family moved to Oregon, his wife's home state, where he joined Davis Wright Tremaine, LLC.

 

Throughout his career, Steve used passion, loyalty, and deep listening skills to solve complex regulatory, political, relational, and financial challenges. Working closely with real estate developers, Steve guided them from a great idea to governments issuing permits and investors and lenders writing checks. His efforts helped clients achieve marquee projects against overwhelming odds. Examples include the Intercontinental "The Clement" Monterey, CA; the Inn at the 5th and Gordon Hotel & Lofts, Eugene, OR; Cavallo Point, the Lodge at Golden Gate, Sausalito, CA; and Huy Fong Headquarters, Irwindale, CA.

 

Steve was also active in California's clean-energy projects, working closely with the DWT Energy Team. He not only understood real estate law but was also facile with financing and at the forefront of public-private partnerships, most notably in he construction of Hudson Yards in New York. 

 

Steve was incredibly happy at DWT and worked tirelessly for his clients and colleagues. He was the firm's business development partner for the real estate practice and co-chair of the hotel industry practice. He served clients from the firm's San Francisco and Portland offices.

 

Outside of the law firm, Steve regularly served as a lecturer and panelist, including as chair of The Seminar Group's Easements in Oregon CLE, at the ULI Northwest conference with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Provenance Hotels CEO Bashar Wali; NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference; American Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS); The Lodging Conference; American Planning Association (APA); and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). In 2023, he was named one of Oregon's Top 10 real estate lawyers to watch. Chambers USA described Steve as a leading lawyer in Real Estate, and appreciated by clients for being "extremely helpful and flexible."

 

With boundless energy and commitment to the first principles of public service, Steve's legal skills extended beyond his clients and included his dedication to time and effort as Board Member, Lan Su Chinese Garden; On Lok Senior Services, Hillsides; Counsel, Marin Agricultural Land Trust & Regeneration Project; Corporate Counsel, Board of Directors, Jazz in Flight, Children in Flight; Tri-County Lodging Association; and Washington State Lodging Association.

 

Steve's interests were multifaceted, whether skydiving (he completed 250 jumps), traveling (he visited over 20 countries), backpacking, camping, or hiking. Steve was a sports fanatic who never missed a San Francisco Giants game, was an SF '49ers fan, and rooted for the San Jose Sharks and Boston Red Sox.

 

An accomplished jazz guitarist, Steve loved music. In addition to performing in the Keenan Review at Notre Dame, Steve formed the Waterman Quintet in San Francisco. He played at venues around the Bay Area, including Yoshi's, the renowned jazz club. He enjoyed writing and performing songs for his friends and family's major life events.

 

Throughout his entire life, Steve was dedicated to helping others. He supported many organizations by providing pro bono legal work. In San Francisco, he helped at-risk youth through Jazz in Flight, and in Portland, he implemented an internship program at De La Salle North Catholic High School. Additionally, he was an active member of several AA Groups in Portland and Lake Oswego, where he helped numerous individuals on their journey to sobriety.

 

Steve was a dedicated, loving, and supportive father. He instilled in his children a love of nature, sports, music, travel, and the importance of giving back. He and his children enjoyed camping, backpacking, and travel. 

 

His family and friends deeply loved Steve.  He had a profound impact on everyone he met. Please share your favorite memories and photos.