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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is a corporate law firm with over 230 attorneys serving clients in nine offices throughout Michigan. Among the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner works in virtually all areas of business law.

Michigan Law Firm - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Robert H. Skillton III is being remembered today by his Warner family as a brilliant lawyer, a kind and patient mentor, an essential resource in the firm’s restructuring practice and a true friend who always had time for others. Bob passed away Aug. 27 after a brief hospitalization.

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The son of a law professor, Bob came to his love of law early in life. He spent more than five decades of his legal career at Warner after serving as an officer and attorney in the JAG Corps of U.S. Army.

Highly regarded and respected by his colleagues at Warner and adversaries, Bob chaired the firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group for 15 years. He brought both a rare creativity and&nbsp;incredible depth of experience to bear in his work as a lawyer. Bob was a go-to sounding board, the “failsafe” who always had time to think through an issue with a colleague and suggest a new and always compelling perspective.

Bob’s clients knew they could count on him to deliver the right advice at the right time.&nbsp;And as difficult as that advice often was, he never lost sight of the personal cost clients facing financial hardship can pay. He understood there were real families with real lives and livelihoods at stake. Bob knew when&nbsp;to hold a client’s hand through tough times – and when it was time to push.

“Bob was bigger than life. He was one of those guys who filled the room, but without a trace of pretense or arrogance,” recalled his friend and partner Stephen Grow. “Maybe it was his military background. He had an officer’s bearing: you just knew he was in charge.”

“He made friends throughout his career, wherever he went, and managed to keep them.&nbsp;That’s a rare quality, and one I found remarkable.”

Bob left an enduring mark on Warner, not only as a mentor to generations of young lawyers at the firm, but for launching and developing Warner’s Southfield office. The firm had long been considering a brick-and-mortar presence in Metro Detroit to better serve its automotive supplier client base, as well as others headquartered in the region. Under Bob’s leadership, Warner opened its first Southeast Michigan office with a handful of lawyers. Today, the firm has offices in Detroit, Bloomfield Hills and Macomb County that is home nearly 100 attorneys and staff.

“Bob was among the brightest attorneys I have had the privilege of knowing,” said Bill Jansen, who worked alongside Bob in Southfield. “He had a way of seeing the big picture. I could always seek Bob’s counsel and thoughts on tough matters, and he was always able to convey useful pearls of wisdom.&nbsp;He certainly was the type of lawyer, gentleman and friend that separates this firm from all others.”

Active professionally, Bob lectured internationally as a visiting professor of law at universities in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Russia. He loved teaching, and his students loved him. He also was a skillful storyteller, adept at anecdotes with exceptional timing in his delivery. Bob was known and loved for his sophisticated sense of humor, especially his repartee with former colleague Jim Breay.

His legal acumen was recognized with numerous awards, including Best Lawyers®, which honored him as the top restructuring attorney in Grand Rapids on five occasions. He was also recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine and as a leader in the field of bankruptcy by Chambers USA. He received the Lion of Justice Award in 2021 from the West Michigan Federal Bar Association.

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Bob received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he was Order of the Coif and on the Wisconsin Law Review. Following stops in Chicago and Detroit, Bob and his family made their home in Grand Rapids.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jeanne, daughters Sarah, Anne and Mary, and five grandchildren. Bob loved them each dearly and spoke of them often. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bob was a true legend at the firm, serving as a great link between Warner’s past and present. He will be deeply missed by all of us.

Remembering Bob Skilton, Our Friend and Colleague

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