ALEXANDRIA. “Often in interviews there are books behind it as a choreography. Not here: here are my father’s books, mine and my daughter’s. Before, jurisprudence was made up of many volumes, now not anymore: it was a world that to tell it now seems prehistoric but in the end all this is the story of my life “.
There is a very bright past and present in the office of Mario Boccassi, the well-known criminal lawyer from Alessandria. Together with the memories of a professional and more intimate life, for a few days he has had an extra recognition: the one that a week ago was attributed to him in the Court of Alexandria for his, as they have been defined, “first 60 years” of registration in the Register of Lawyers.
Lawyer, that day during your excited speech you compared these years to a marathon and this milestone was your Olympic medal: but, if you had to use only one adjective to describe them, what would it be?
“Exciting. It has been a constantly exciting professional path, especially in the processes where I have had great satisfaction and very little bitterness. The balance is extremely positive, I have no melancholy.
Yours was a family of lawyers: first your father, then your uncle, was it natural for you to take this path?
“Yes sure. I had studied Law in Turin where I lived the university period and where I fully felt my life but I did not feel that of a lawyer because the lawyer was my father. I did many other things, the atmosphere was carefree and goliardic ».
What happened then?
“My father died in a car accident. And that same night I had to decide whether to become a lawyer or not: but I was not and, above all, I had no idea what the profession could be like “.
The choice, however, was to continue …
«Yes, and I owe it above all to my father’s colleagues who at the time gave me a hand, advised me and suggested many things. And in trying to reciprocate their help, over time I have learned a lot. Then slowly I got passionate: I studied and then I started the trials ».
How many have you counted in all these years?
“About 10 thousand, between children and adults: from the theft of bicycles to the most important events that have also had considerable national and international importance”.
Did it even go beyond Alexandria?
«In Italy a lot. I also happened to go abroad: I had a trial in Monte Carlo which was beautiful and exciting where I pronounced the harangue in French. Then I went to Paris where I discussed, again in French, before the International Sports Court ».
Here in the city he founded the Criminal Chamber: how did he contribute to the professional life of the city?
“At the time, he practiced the profession as friends as well as colleagues, as people who were well together. We did a lot, it was a gym where you really learned. I made him an extroverted subject, I gave a goliardic edge: I made forensic theatrical performances and organized trips. I was its president for 15 years before passing the baton. To this I also added the “Toga Tosta” to reward Italian and foreign lawyers who have distinguished themselves for their professional rigor ».
In addition to the trial for the crime of Novi Ligure in which you defended Erika De Nardo, who you defined as one of the most “sensational” and which remained etched in everyone’s memory, there was some other story or person who remained imprinted?
“I should be leafing through a great scrapbook. But going back in memory I have a perception of a person of Slavic origins who came to me. He spoke in a way that enchanted me every time. I was looking for a thousand opportunities to get him to come to the office, not for money as you might think, but to talk to him for the way and sensitivity that is now so rare to find ».
You have always combined the passion for your profession with that for sport: two worlds that have nourished each other?
“Certain. Sport has always helped me: above all running is an important test, which is why it is no coincidence that I have used it as a metaphor for my profession. I participated in the New York marathon twice: the first 40 years ago and the second in 2009 when I was already my years old. I did it all, I reached the finish line happy: they are symbolic medals that remain, you always win ».
You have left your mark on the profession and beyond, but what advice would you give to a young lawyer today?
“It’s difficult because I don’t know the rules of the game anymore. Abstract advice, such as studying, is too simple and I risk saying things out of time. In addition, each place is different from the other and therefore it takes a lot of flexibility to know how to adapt. What can I teach? Anything. Maybe even I myself wouldn’t be able to do it at my best today: all chess moves compared to the human warmth of the previous trial. Today there is also a gradual departure from the profession, everyone wants to retire. As long as I am there, I stay: even now I come to the studio every day. I always say that I was born a lawyer by misfortune, I stayed there by luck and I certainly won’t go back ».