Howard Gittis

Howard Gittis
Born February 16, 1934
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died September 17, 2007 (aged 73)
New York, New York
Occupation Attorney

Howard Gittis (February 16, 1934 – September 17, 2007) was an American attorney known for being a longtime adviser to Ronald Perelman and an adviser to Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo.

Biography

Howard Gittis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating from Philadelphia's Central High School.[1] He earned his economics and law degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Air Force at an Illinois airbase. After his military duty, Gittis accepted a job offer from Tom McBride who had just been elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.[2] McBride lost his subsequent election, leading McBride to found his namesake law firm and keep Gittis by his side. This led to a merger with Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen where Gittis eventually became managing partner. Gittis worked at Wolf Block for 25 years. He continued in a consulting capacity to Wolf Block for a few years after he relocated to New York with MacAndrews & Forbes, a holding company owned by Ronald Perelman.[2] Gittis and Perelman first met back in the 1970s. Gittis became Perelman's trusted adviser and friend.[3]

Gittis also acted as an adviser for politician Frank Rizzo, whom he successfully defended from an attempted recall.[3]

In 1985, Gittis was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the top 100 attorneys in the country.[3]

Family

Gittis, the son of Russian immigrants, was the first in his family to go to college.[1] He married twice and had four daughters.[4]

Death

Gittis died in his sleep at his Manhattan home on September 16, 2007, from heart failure.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hillel J. Hoffmann (2007). "Trustee and former board chair Howard Gittis dies at 73". Temple University. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Larry Teitelbaum (2004). "Nearing 20 years as a dealmaker, Gittis still relishes a little risk and reward". Temple University. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Stephen Miller (September 19, 2007). "Howard Gittis, 73, Businessman, Perelman Adviser". New York Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mark Schoifet (2007). "Howard Gittis, Adviser to Ronald Perelman, Dies at 73". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 2007-04-02.