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Longtime Akron attorney receives the Professionalism Award
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 8, 2021
Throughout his 65 years of practicing law, attorney Archie W. Skidmore said he’s tried to be fair to both sides, while vehemently defending his client, allowing his principles, values and ethics to guide his decisions and actions in his professional and personal life.
“I believe a lawyer’s word is his bond,” said Skidmore, founder of Skidmore & Associates. “You have to operate honestly and keep your word or no one, including your clients, will trust you.”
At age 94, Skidmore continues to practice law, with no plans to retire.
“When I was around 16, the family lawyer said to me ‘Archie if you become an attorney you can help an awful lot of people.’ I got to thinking about it and that’s what I decided to do. Lawyers have the ability to solve people’s problems and I think that’s really something special.”
Skidmore’s high ethical standards and dedication to his clients have earned him the respect of many in the legal community. Recently the Akron Bar Association paid tribute to his efforts, selecting him as this year’s recipient of the Bradford M. “Buck” Gearinger Professionalism Award.
Established in 1996 by the Akron Bar Association Board of Trustees, the award recognizes an attorney who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the standards of the profession and exhibited integrity and humanitarian concern within the community.
“When I found out I was chosen I was stunned,” said Skidmore, who was honored during a virtual event on Nov. 18. “I never expected to receive an award for treating the law as a profession.”
Although Skidmore may have been surprised, all three of his sons, now seasoned attorneys, said their father is most deserving of the accolade.
“I am very proud of my father,” said Brian Skidmore, a shareholder at Skidmore & Associates. “He was a role model to me and definitely a large part of the reason I decided to become an attorney.
“He has a high ethical code and he cares deeply about his clients,” said Brian, who primarily handles real estate and business matters. “For my father the law is a calling, not just a profession.”
“I can’t think of any lawyer in the Akron community who is more deserving of this award than my dad,” said Tom Skidmore, who runs Thomas A. Skidmore Co. “He loves the profession and wants to help people.
“He’s encouraged many people to go into the profession, including his wife and some of my friends,” said Thomas, who focuses on complex litigation, personal injury and real estate. “We have all learned the importance of ethics from him. My father believes that a lawyer’s work has to mean something and he makes sure his does.”
“My father truly values the profession,” said Eric Skidmore, a shareholder at Skidmore & Associates. “He respects co-counsel and advocates alike. His has mentored many young attorneys over the years and he is never too busy for a client, even those who walk in unannounced.
“Growing up, he taught us the importance of working hard,” said Eric. “If we produced an A by taking an easy class, it was not as highly valued as a lesser grade that we achieved by taking a more difficult class and working harder.
“When I was having trouble with my classes in high school, my father took it upon himself to guide and assist me. I think he had more confidence in me than I did.”
Born in Tioga, West Virginia on Oct. 6, 1926, Archie Skidmore is the eldest of Cecil and Opal Skidmore’s two sons. The family moved to Akron in the early 1930s.
Skidmore graduated from Springfield Township High School in 1948 after serving as Private First Class in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for two years.
He used his GI Bill to attend Kent State University, where he majored in political science and minored in history. Skidmore graduated from The University of Akron School of Law on June 20, 1954.
Skidmore first delved into residential and commercial real estate transactions during law school, when he was employed as a title examiner at Summit Title Company and Lawyers Title Insurance Company. He also worked in the real estate department of Evans Savings & Loan, where he handled loans for construction and development.
After being sworn in as a licensed attorney on March 23, 1955, he started his own law practice, handling complex aspects of title, real estate, construction and business transactions and litigation. He also taught classes at the Banking Institute.
Initially, his practice was located in the First National Tower and he shared office space with attorneys Robert Blakemore, Max Rothal, Charlie Church and George Danesis. By the 1960s, Skidmore had become known as a go-to attorney for cases involving mechanic’s liens and construction mortgages in Ohio.
In the early 1970s, Skidmore became a partner at Schwab, Sager, Grosenbaugh, Rothal, Fort, Skidmore & Nukes Co. During his time at the firm, he handled a high-profile business litigation case that exposed an $11.2 million Ponzi investment scheme. He was also involved in the liquidation of a nationally known Akron-based children’s book publisher.
Max Rothal, a former law director for the city of Akron described Skidmore as “a low-key lawyer,” who was always prepared, methodical and a good strategist.
“I first met Archie in law school but I got to know him much better after we started working together,” said Rothal who retired 11 years ago. “Subsequently Archie and I became partners in a law firm for several years.
“Archie always adhered to the highest ethics and did outstanding work. When I became law director of the city of Akron I brought him in as special counsel for several high-profile cases and he did an excellent job. I was very happy to learn that he received the Professionalism Award. He is most deserving of the honor.”
Former Schwab, Sager, Grosenbaugh, Rothal, Fort, Skidmore & Nukes Co. partner Samuel Nukes first met Skidmore over 50 years ago.
“Archie is a very competent lawyer, especially when it comes to real estate and corporate matters,” said Nukes. “He is very honest and professional. If he gives you his word, you can take it to the bank.
“As a litigator, he is tough but fair to the other side,” said Nukes. “I believe Archie wanted to be an educator. He tutored his three sons through high school, college and law school. He also tutored other children when parents he knew would ask for his assistance.
“He and I are good friends,” said Nukes. “Archie is a very generous person. I am extremely happy that he received the Professionalism Award as I believe he deserves it.”
It was in the late 1970s that Skidmore founded the small firm now known as Skidmore & Associates, which concentrates on real estate and commercial banking litigation and transactions.
His sons Brian and Eric joined the firm in 1986 and 1989, respectively.
Over the years, Skidmore has handled a number of high-profile cases, including a string of corporate lawsuits pertaining to the control of an Akron-based national distributor of beauty and barber supplies and the reorganization of a well-known local machine company, whose executive was embroiled in a criminal investigation.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Skidmore represented an entrepreneurial municipality in a number of complex construction and commercial real estate transactions and cases involving the BFGoodrich buildings (now AES Building), the Canal Square YMCA building, Canal Baseball Park, Quaker Square and Akron Fulton International Airport.
A longtime and current member of the Akron and Ohio State bar associations, Skidmore is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Ohio and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Skidmore has mentored many lawyers over the years, including Spiros Vasilatos Jr., who joined the firm in 1984.
“Archie’s office was and continues to be open to anyone who has a question,” said Vasilatos. “He listens to everyone’s opinions, even if he does not agree with them. He is devoted to his clients but treats everyone with the utmost respect and professionalism.
“He’s become more than just a mentor to me,” said Vasilatos. “He is a good friend and a father figure. He has taught me so much about the law and life. He is a high-energy person who keeps his mind and body sharp.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the office remained open, sometimes remotely, however Skidmore operated exclusively from his home from March–September. Today Skidmore is not only back at his desk, but working a five-day week at the law firm’s new location near Highland Square.
“Ironically my father helped save this Victorian building from demolition decades earlier by assisting the owner and curator in procuring financing for the renovations and beautification,” said Eric.
Recently Skidmore, who spent the bulk of his career handling real estate-related matters received a call from a disabled Iraqi war veteran.
“His disability benefit was recently modified and he asked me to go before the Veterans Administration to see if we can increase the benefit,” said Skidmore. “I thought to myself there’s a whole new generation out there I can help, so I’m definitely staying in the profession.”