Patron of lawyers and jurists

St. Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori was born in Naples in 1696. A graduate of civil and ecclesiastical law, he became a priest and founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer - Redemptorists. He attended sermons to promote Christian life among the people and wrote books, primarily on moral theology, of which he is considered master. Elected bishop of St. Agatha of the Goths, he renounced his orders soon after and died in 1787 at his missionaries' in Nocera dei Pagani (Pagani) in Campania.

In 1715, at just over eighteen years of age, Alphonsus donned a lawyer's toga and made his debut in the courts: a profession he would practice for eight years. His first customer were referred to him by friends and family. Then came his reputation as invincible lawyer - he never lost a case - making him one of the most sought after defence lawyers in Naples. His first biographer, who met Alphonsus' colleagues, thus summarised Alphonsus' advocacy: "Everything about him was unique: breadth of talent, mental clarity and precision of speech; complete honesty and a great abhorrence of quibbles. He undertook only just causes. Humanity in his dealings with customers and disinterest. And such was his power over the people's hearts that he charmed the judges and dumbfounded his opponents"

Professional expertise but, above all, moral rectitude. He had written down a sort of "Declaration of a lawyer's duties" on a piece of paper that he always carried with him so as to be able to  meditate in comfort. Here it is in its eighteenth century form:

Declaration of a lawyer's duties:

1. One must never accept unjust cases as they are detrimental to one's conscience and to one's dignity.

2. One must not defend a case by unlawful and unjust means.

3. A client must never be burdened with undue expenses otherwise the obligation to reimburse will be incumbent upon the lawyer.

4. The same commitment must be placed in client's cases as would be placed in one's own.

5. Proceedings must be studied so as to discern valid arguments for the defence of the case.

6. Delay and negligence on the part of lawyers often results in losses to clients, and such losses must be redressed, otherwise it is a sin against justice.

7. A lawyer must implore God for help with the defence because God is the first protector of justice.

8. A lawyer who accepts many cases outside his expertise, his powers and his time, which he will often be lacking when preparing the defence, is not worthy of praise.

9. Justice and honesty must never be separated from Catholic lawyers, on the contrary, they must always be protected like the apple of one's eye.

10. A lawyer who loses a case due to his own negligence shall be obliged to redress all his client's losses.

11. One must be truthful, sincere, respectful and reasoned when defending cases.

12. Lastly, the requirements of a lawyer are: science, diligence, truth, loyalty and justice.