ICLEF Mourns the Passing of Jack W. Lawson
- ICLEF
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
(September 23, 1935 – August 26, 2025)
ICLEF has learned of the passing of our dear friend and long-time faculty member, Jack Lawson. Jack was a distinguished attorney as well as a lifelong learner and teacher, attending and participating in ICLEF seminars even after his retirement from the everyday practice of law.
Jack was a founding partner of the Fort Wayne law firm Beckman Lawson LLP, along with his friend, Fred Beckman. He focused his practice on real estate, corporate, environmental, and healthcare law. Known for his meticulous preparation and commitment to excellence, he became one of Fort Wayne’s most respected legal minds—at one time the only lawyer in the city to be a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
Having authored and edited numerous legal publications, including Lawson on Indiana Real Estate Transactions—Practice Guide, he served as a contributing author, lecturer, and chair for many state and national continuing legal education programs, most fondly with ICLEF. Jack was the founding chair of the Annual Real Estate Institute, a flagship CLE conference of ICLEF for numerous years.
A longtime leader with ICLEF, Jack was honored in 2001 with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Frank O’Bannon and received ICLEF’s “Excellence in CLE Award” in 2021—a recognition he held with deep pride. Further, his son Jeffrey Lawson has been with ICLEF as a Program Director since 1993.
Beyond the lectern, Jack Lawson lived a life of integrity, purpose, and faith. His legacy endures in the family he loved, the legal community he shaped, and the many lives he touched through wisdom, mentorship, and grace.
Our deepest condolences go out to his wife of 64 years, Sally, his family, colleagues, and the many friends who were fortunate enough to know him.
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