A Tribute to Theodore J. St. Antoine

Abstract

half as many years, he profoundly influenced the institution, its traditions, and its character. Ted came west to Michigan after studying philosophy and theology at Fordham College in New York City. He came with the proven abilities of a summa cum laude. He came ready to engage what he considered a more practical challenge: he wanted to become a lawyer. As a student, Ted's achievements became the stuff of legend. In conversations with his classmates, it is striking how many of them vividly recall incidents marked by Ted's brilliance, leadership, or modesty. Often as not, they mention all three. A glimmer of these qualities can be gleaned from Ted's response to a 1951 placement office questionnaire requiring him to [i]ndicate special qualifications i.e., accounting, language ability, work done for professors, etc. Ted's apologetic response: particular skills but: Law Review Editor-in-Chief; Campbell [moot court] Competition Winner. No particular skills, indeed. Ted left Ann Arbor to serve in the JAG Corps and, after a year as a Fulbright scholar in London, to practice labor law in Washington, D.C. Over the course of seven years, he helped build the firm of Woll, Mayer & St. Antoine before accepting the call to join the Michigan faculty. As a faculty member, Ted exemplified the same stellar qualities noted by his law school classmates. His incisive mind is manifest in the scores of pieces he has published exploring the employment relationship and in classroom lectures that have made him a favorite teacher for generations of students. His modesty has enabled him to be a superb mentor for younger colleagues. His leadership abili-