The American Board of Trial Advocates was founded almost 50 years ago to promote and uphold the rule of law, to foster and preserve the American system of trial by jury and to inspire the highest level of civility, professionalism and integrity in those who prosecute and defend in civil proceedings. It is a 5000 member, nationwide, invitation only, organization of Judges & Advocates of the United States who have attained distinction at the trial bar. The membership is equally represented, throughout our 50 States, by advocates who appear on behalf of plaintiffs and advocates who appear on behalf of defendants in civil actions.

In this year, 1999, as we approach the new millennium with hope and expectation, The American Board of Trial Advocates has instituted a Courageous Advocacy Award, wherein we will give special recognition to a Judge or Advocate, anywhere in the world, who demonstrates particular courage in the performance of duty, who has believed in and prosecuted a strict adherence to the rule of law, even at great risk to personal freedom and safety.

For the past quarter century, the members of The American Board of Trial Advocates have observed, with collegial pride and pain, those many Judges and Advocates of Italy, who have been heroic in the conduct of proceedings, extremely dangerous to themselves. We have been inspired by those who, because of their absolute commitment to justice, have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

The American Board of Trial Advocates has decreed that the first ever Courageous Advacacy Award be a collective one, given in honor of all those Judges & Advocates of Italy, who have been martyrs for the rule of law, who have lost their lives before their time, because of their sense of professional duty and their love of honor and Country and their SENSO DELLO STATO, SPIRITO DI SACRIFICIO E ABNEGAZIONE: