Posted December 2009

Who is Uncle Anthony?

Uncle Anthony (whom I call Ant'ny) is the last living member of my mother Carmella Nicolella Vesper's immediate family. My only uncle born in the U.S., he was my mother's little brother, one of nine brothers and sisters born of Giuseppe and Leonilda Nicolella, from Riccia, Provincia Campobasso, in the Abruzzo-Molise region of Italy.

How did you decide to write this book and dedicate it to him?

My life-long obsession with words began thanks to my National Forensic League coaches: Sister Mary James, who was my oratory coach, and my debate coach, Sister Doris. Both of these tireless and dedicated ladies introduced me to and inspired me with the value of researching the facts, and also having a good quote on hand.

My fascination with quotations continued through college and law school. In 2007, my good friend Gerald Baker asked if I had any quotes, or as he put it in his North Jersey accent, "some good stuff" about trial lawyers. He was going to make a speech and wanted something positive to say about our profession. That inspired me to gather up all the random clippings, index cards, and books of quotes ... and put them in one usable place – this book.

I dedicated the book to my uncle because of all my uncles and aunts, Uncle Ant'ny always had the funniest story or one-liner to end our family "discussions."

How frequently do you find yourself using quotes from your book when you're making arguments in court?

Almost every day and sometimes several times a day in legal writing, arguments, and discussions. And in the evening with my two teenaged daughters

Do you think that non-lawyers would be interested in this book?

Absolutely! As my Uncle Ant'ny said when I gave him his own copy: "Hey, this thing's got some good advice for everybody who can read, think, or think they can!"

In addition to this book, you've also written several litigation-focused titles. How would you compare the experience and motivation involved in writing these books?

Both types of writing are fun. I find Uncle Anthony's is like a jazz session and the Trial, Deposition and Settlement Notebooks are like classical music.

What are you working on now?

I am finalizing the second edition of Uncle Anthony's, updating my Trial and Deposition Notebooks, and making revisions with my co-author for a new Settlement Notebook for Plaintiff Lawyers. I am in fact planning to co-author an ATLA (now AAJ) Cocktail & Cooking book with my cousin Dominic entitled Meatballs & Martinis.

What's your favorite quote?

I have favorite quotes and proverbs within my categories of favorite topics, but for trial lawyers I have one favorite by Teddy Roosevelt:

It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again ... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

Author's Featured Title

Uncle Anthony's Unabridged Analogies, 2d: Quotes, Proverbs, Blessings & Toasts for Lawyers, Lecturers & Laypeople »

Additional Titles by this Author

Litigating Tort Cases (AAJ Press) »

Deposition Notebook, 3d (AAJ Press) »

Trial Notebook, 5th (AAJ Press) »

Read author's bio »