Robert A. Skitol, a former Chairman of the Board of the American Antitrust Institute (AAI), passed away on July 4, 2021. The AAI community mourns his passing but he leaves colleagues, institutions, and the law with an indelible and rich legacy. AAI President Diana Moss noted, “Bob was a gift to us at AAI. As we built the organization, Bob’s contributions as a remarkable antitrust lawyer, advisor, supporter, and steady-at-the-helm chair made our journey more meaningful and joyful. It didn’t matter what side of an antitrust issue you were on, Bob was always there to offer thoughtful insight.”
Bob Skitol was a senior partner in the Antitrust Practice Group at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Washington DC. He was a former attorney-advisor to the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and former special assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the agency. He had more than 45 years of experience in all facets of antitrust practice and was an active participant in the ABA Section of Antitrust Law. He published articles covering a wide variety of antitrust subjects in the ABA Journal of Antitrust Law, the ABA Antitrust Source and other law journals. He co-authored the book, Mergers in the New Antitrust Era.
Bob Skitol’s contributions and mentor-ship in the antitrust community cannot be overstated. AAI Vice President of Legal Advocacy Randy Stutz noted, “Bob was not just brilliant; he was fun to talk to. For all his quiet dignity and the tremendous respect he commanded from all sides of the bar, he reveled in unconventional antitrust thinking and entertained it with humor, wit and wisdom. When Bob would speak, everyone would always listen very carefully.”
We highlight other tributes to Bob Skitol from members of the AAI Advisory Board. We will all remember and honor his legacy.
– We’ve lost a dear friend and extraordinary human being. Bob was a top tier antitrust lawyer and a wise and trusted advisor to AAI from our earliest times.
– Truly a great loss of an antitrust scholar, legend, and a wonderful, caring person.
– A storyteller who loved to tell the wonderous story of antitrust law. A decent and courageous guy who cared so much for the people he touched.
– He will be missed at AAI, the antitrust bar, and most importantly by all those that knew him.
– Working with him was like being the crew on a sailboat, knowing that his unique vision was setting us on the right course because no one knew the history better and the fundamental principles that govern the law.
– Bob was an impeccable lawyer, and it is an honor to have been his friend.
– I mourn for Bob, who was a great lawyer, a kind and generous colleague and as thoughtful and ethical a lawyer as I have known.
– Bob enjoyed the respect of everyone he came into contact with. His contribution to AAI is both tangible and not easily measured. His passing is a shocking loss for his friends, colleagues, and for AAI.
– He was a wonderful man. Very giving. Very joyful. I really cherished working with him.
– Always supportive and encouraging of those of us who drafted submissions for AAI. A tremendous asset.
– Bob was a great antitrust lawyer and a wonderful friend.
