In Memoriam: Chicago Shareholder Jordan R. Labkon
We are deeply saddened to announce that our dear friend and colleague Jordan R. Labkon passed away suddenly on October 8, 2022. Jordan was a Shareholder and member of the Firm’s Global Transportation Finance team having spent 23 years with Vedder Price.
Jordan will be greatly missed by all of his family, colleagues, clients and friends who were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to be around him throughout his life, and his career at the Firm. Jordan’s colleagues at the Firm and his many clients will remember him as a generous, kindhearted, genuine and respectful person, and his personality and spirit will continue to live on in the memories of all who knew him.
Jordan was an avid and dedicated Chicago sports fan. He was a season ticket holder for both the Chicago Blackhawks, and his beloved Chicago Cubs, which he thankfully was able to see finally win the World Series in 2016, ending a 108 year title drought. He also loved annually attending the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
Jordan was a highly skilled and strategic attorney for the firm, focusing his work on representing lessors and other equity investors in the commercial aviation finance space as well as advising lenders, borrowers, lessees, equity participants and others in a variety of other equipment finance matters in the transportation industry.
Jordan frequently spoke at aviation industry conferences on issues related to environmental sustainability and emissions regulation and trading, and enjoyed doing so. He also co-taught a class on aviation finance at DePaul Law School for many years.
His overall approach and ability to tackle complex issues with both extreme efficiency and attention to detail was greatly appreciated by his clients, and he will be truly missed.
We firmly believe that all those who had the pleasure to know him or work with him are better people for having done so, and we once again will all miss our dear friend Jordan.
Vedder Thinking | News In Memoriam: Chicago Shareholder Jordan R. Labkon
Press Release
October 17, 2022
We are deeply saddened to announce that our dear friend and colleague Jordan R. Labkon passed away suddenly on October 8, 2022. Jordan was a Shareholder and member of the Firm’s Global Transportation Finance team having spent 23 years with Vedder Price.
Jordan will be greatly missed by all of his family, colleagues, clients and friends who were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to be around him throughout his life, and his career at the Firm. Jordan’s colleagues at the Firm and his many clients will remember him as a generous, kindhearted, genuine and respectful person, and his personality and spirit will continue to live on in the memories of all who knew him.
Jordan was an avid and dedicated Chicago sports fan. He was a season ticket holder for both the Chicago Blackhawks, and his beloved Chicago Cubs, which he thankfully was able to see finally win the World Series in 2016, ending a 108 year title drought. He also loved annually attending the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
Jordan was a highly skilled and strategic attorney for the firm, focusing his work on representing lessors and other equity investors in the commercial aviation finance space as well as advising lenders, borrowers, lessees, equity participants and others in a variety of other equipment finance matters in the transportation industry.
Jordan frequently spoke at aviation industry conferences on issues related to environmental sustainability and emissions regulation and trading, and enjoyed doing so. He also co-taught a class on aviation finance at DePaul Law School for many years.
His overall approach and ability to tackle complex issues with both extreme efficiency and attention to detail was greatly appreciated by his clients, and he will be truly missed.
We firmly believe that all those who had the pleasure to know him or work with him are better people for having done so, and we once again will all miss our dear friend Jordan.
Professionals
Vedder Price is proud to partner with the ISTAT Foundation in its launch of the Jordan R. “Jordy” Labkon Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jordan Labkon, a Vedder Price shareholder who passed away unexpectedly on October 8, 2022. The ISTAT Foundation established the scholarship to honor Jordan’s contributions to the global aviation community. In memory of our dear friend and colleague Jordan, Vedder Price is making a seed contribution of $50,000 to the scholarship fund.
Biography
Jordan was a Shareholder Vedder Price, where he was a dedicated member of the Global Transportation Finance Team for 23 years. Jordan possessed a brilliant intellect and sharp wit, and family, friends and colleagues all enjoyed his generous, kindhearted and convivial spirit. Jordan studied at the University of Pennsylvania and Chicago-Kent College of Law and was an avid Chicago sports fan.
Jordan mentored a myriad of Associates at Vedder Price, where he patiently taught them the finer points of structuring and drafting commercial aircraft and engine transactions. Jordan frequently spoke at aviation industry conferences on issues related to environmental sustainability and emissions regulation and trading, and enjoyed doing so. He also co-taught a class on aviation finance at DePaul Law School for many years. His dedication to the development of the aviation legal field, for each of his mentees, clients and counterparties alike, will be sincerely missed. The Jordan R. “Jordy” Labkon Memorial Scholarship seeks to continue his commitment to future generations.
Scholarship
Each year the ISTAT Foundation will award a $10,000 scholarship to a promising individual who demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for aviation. Awarding the scholarship is contingent upon several criteria including acceptance and enrollment at an accredited institution to complete a course of study directly connected to aviation. Recipients of the scholarship need not pursue a law degree (any career path is eligible to receive the award); however, the ISTAT Foundation may give preference to an individual interested in pursuing a career as an aviation finance attorney. No administrative fees shall be applied to the fund. The Scholarship balance will be confirmed annually via audit. Once the funds are depleted, the ISTAT Foundation Board of Trustees, will determine the continuation of the Scholarship should the donors wish to make an additional contribution.
ISTAT Foundation
Started in 1994, the ISTAT Foundation was intended as a vehicle that would enable successful aviation professionals to give something back to the industry. To date, the ISTAT Foundation has awarded over $4 million in scholarships. The scholarships are intended to provide financial support to students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree focused on the aviation industry, from engineering to finance to trading/leasing to law. Scholarships are awarded to students within the ISTAT Foundation’s university network spanning across the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. This past year in 2022, a total of $433,500 in funds was disbursed to worthy students.
Donation Instructions:
Simply scan the QR code below or click here. When prompted, login to your ISTAT membership account (ISTAT members) or create a guest account (non-ISTAT members).
Once logged in, you will be routed to the "Make a Donation" page. Select the option to donate to the Jordan R. “Jordy” Labkon Memorial Scholarship.
