PF&C mourns the passing of former president Stephanie Mapes

Legal firm Paul, Frank & Collins (PF&C) has said that it is deeply saddened by the passing of Stephanie Mapes, former President of the firm, who died after a courageous battle with cancer on January 6th. 

The firm said that her loss is felt profoundly by colleagues, clients, and friends whose lives she touched throughout a distinguished legal career. She began her career as a lawyer at PF+C in 1988 and retired from the firm in June, 2023.

PF&C said that Mapes served the firm with exceptional dedication and integrity, including her tenure as the firm’s first female President from June, 2014 through June, 2019. During that time, she played a pivotal role in transitioning the firm to its next generation and carrying forward the firm’s culture of excellence, mentorship, and client service. She led with clarity, compassion, and positivity, with an unwavering commitment to the values that continue to define our firm today.

The company said: “Beyond her many professional accomplishments, Stephanie was known for her creativity, artistic skills, bright smile and her kindness. She was a trusted advisor, a respected leader, and a mentor to many attorneys and legal professionals who benefited from her guidance and example. As President, she immersed herself in Appreciative Inquiry studies and brought the new concepts to lawyers, paralegals and staff with a focus on driving the firm and its employees forward by focusing on individual’s strengths. Through appreciative inquiry, she pushed us all to examine our strengths, be curious about our colleagues’ aptitudes, and dream together to design a modern law firm that taps into the best of each of us for success at the workplace and home.

“In addition to her leadership of the firm, Steph was an exceptional lawyer and a recognised leader in the captive insurance industry. As head of the firm’s captive insurance practice, she carried forward Alan Port’s legacy and grew the team known for its technical excellence and practical insight. She was a sought-after educator and speaker, generously sharing her knowledge with clients, regulators, and industry professionals, and she played a meaningful role in advancing best practices within the captive insurance community. Her expertise, credibility, and commitment to excellence set a standard that will continue to influence the practice and the captive insurance industry for years to come.

“We will remember Stephanie not only for her contributions to the firm and the profession, but also for the grace, strength, and resilience she demonstrated throughout her life. For many of us, Stephanie defined PF+C, bending it to what she thought a law firm should be. For example, she was a proponent of flexible and part-time schedules, paid parental leave, genuine work-life balance.

“Stephanie, of course, made her own traditions, and we are all the better for it. Such was the force of her personality and energy. Always enthusiastic, always driven, and always bringing out the best in her colleagues and coworkers. Her legacy endures in the people she mentored, the standards she set, and the firm she was so dedicated to.”

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