Jonathan Baker Retires After 24 Years at American University Washington College of Law
Celebrating the Career of Antitrust and Economics Expert and Law Professor at American University Washington College of Law
After 24 years at American University Washington College of Law, Professor Jonathan Baker is retiring. During his nearly two-and-a-half-decade career at AUWCL, he has been an essential figure in shaping the education of future antitrust lawyers and promoting critical scholarship in antitrust law.
Baker has taught courses on antitrust law and economic regulation, drawing on his extensive experience as a government advisor and policymaker. He has served in key advisory roles for regulatory bodies, including as the Chief Economist of the Federal Communications Commission from 2009 to 2011 and as the Director of the Bureau of Economics at the Federal Trade Commission from 1995 to 1998. Baker also worked in the Executive Branch — helping shape economic policy for the nation — as a Senior Economist at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Economics in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. During his time in these positions, he played a critical role in shaping antitrust policies and regulations that continue to have an impact on the industry today.
Aside from his work as a government advisor and academic, Baker has made significant contributions to antitrust scholarship and is considered one of the top antitrust minds in the nation. His expertise has been recognized with several awards, including the Jerry S. Cohen Award for Antitrust Scholarship and the Federal Trade Commission’s Award for Distinguished Service.
In his scholarly work, Baker emphasized the need to update antitrust laws to better fit the 21st century. He authored "The Antitrust Paradigm," which explores the challenges facing antitrust law and suggests possible solutions to address them. He also co-authored "Antitrust Law in Perspective: Cases, Concepts and Problems in Competition Policy," as well as numerous scholarly works covering the topic.
Professor Baker's impact on antitrust law and education has been significant and his contributions to the field have been invaluable. He will be missed by his colleagues and students at AUWCL, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of antitrust lawyers.
To see photos of the retirement celebration, click here.
~Story by Brice Helms.