As an attorney practicing for over 30 years, I still sometimes grapple with what does it mean to be a good attorney.  It is a constant balance between advocating for a client, knowing the law, maintaining your integrity, and always fighting for justice. Knowing what the right thing to do is and doing it.

 I have also learned a good attorney needs humility.  I cannot get caught up in my own agenda, motivation, or wanting to win for my sake alone. I must always take a step back and think about what is best for my client.  I love reading stories about lawyers and judges who did what was right and sacrificed exemplifying what it means to be a just judge and a just attorney. 

I recently read an article about a young judge in Sicily named Judge Rosario Livatino.  He was a 38-year-old judge who was murdered by Stidda (the Star), a mafia criminal group in southern Sicily who fought the influence and criminal activities of the mafia.  It was said that Judge Livatino respected the rights of the accused with great professionalism and with concrete results, and he dealt with the seizure and confiscation of property of elicit origin acquired by the Sicilian mafia. He was a faithful catholic and took his vocation as a lawyer and judge seriously. He considered his profession as a calling, a mission, given to him by God. He is considered a hero and a martyr of the faith. He is what is known as an is an indirect martyr of the faith. He did what was right at the certain risk of his own life. He is now a Servant of God and on the road to sainthood.

 In reflecting on Judge Livatino and the connection between faith, law and charity, Pope Francis in 2019 wrote

            to decide is to choose … and to choose is one of the most difficult things that man is called to do.  And it is precisely in this choice to decide … that the believing magistrate can find a relationship with God.  A direct relationship because in doing justice is self-realization, it is prayer, it is a self-dedication to God.  An indirect relationship through love for the person judged … and such a task will be all lighter the more the magistrate will humbly be aware of his own weaknesses the more he will be present himself each time for society willing and inclined to understand the man in front of him and to judge him without the attitude of a superman, but rather with constructive contrition.

            These words had great meaning for me and are inspirational, and I only hope that I can follow in Judge Livatino’s legacy every time I represent one of my clients and make sure that I do not lose the connection between faith, law and charity, all which leads to justice.