Welcome to the Massachusetts Chapter of the
American Board of Trial Advocates.
American Freedom
Some anonymous people calling themselves “Philly Bike On Your Left” (BYOL) is promoting a boycott of Jewish owned businesses in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 8. The date is not random. It is timed for the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of the Broken Glass, when Nazis and their supporters rampaged across Hitler’s Germany burning synagogues, murdering and beating Jews, destroying Jewish businesses, and terrorizing peaceful and loyal people because of their faith. It is despicable.
Kristallnacht signaled the further rise of the hate-fueled Nazi movement in Germany which fed on the silence of the many both in and out of Germany, who recognized the evil and refused to condemn it. We cannot be silent again.
The as-yet unnamed organizers of the BYOL-proposed boycott would reprise this horror. Whether sponsored by only one disaffected person or several is no matter. We know what happens when this evil goes unanswered. After the massive devastation of World War II, to people, to property and to spirit, the world promised, “never again.” Then we watched as it happened, again, and again and again.
The attorneys who comprise the East Regional Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American Board of Trial Advocates nationally, condemn this hideous act unequivocally. It is morally wrong and fundamentally un-American. Our nation was founded on the principle that all people may worship or not as they choose, free from fear of violence, intimidation or threats of any kind.
We call on all those who believe in American freedom to join us in rejecting this attack on our fellow citizens, openly and loudly. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has done so already. He should not, he must not, be alone.
We ask President Trump, Vice-President Vance, Attorney General Blanche, and all public servants from all political parties, to join Governor Shapiro. Let us all demonstrate that we in fact believe in and stand by the values of the Declaration of Independence that the people behind this proposed boycott openly reject. Perhaps we can all make a special effort to patronize those businesses the BYOL is targeting this Sunday to make tangible our professed belief in freedom of conscience.
Signed, by unanimous agreement,
The Executive Committee of East ABOTA
November 6, 2026
James Otis Lecture, October 15, 2026 at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Our James Otis Lecture was the subject of the Amarica's Constitution podcast with Professor Akhil Amar.
Formed in 1958, ABOTA is dedicated to the preservation of the Seventh Amendment right to civil trial by jury, to the promotion of Professionalism and Civility among the trial bar, and to the support of an independent judiciary and the rule of law. Membership is by invitation only. Applicants must have tried at least 7 civil cases to verdict and must practice the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct.
Massachusetts was the first colony in America to guarantee a right to a civil jury trial with the adoption of the Bodie of Liberties in 1641. Mass ABOTA members are keenly aware of our obligation to protect this cherished right and pass it along to those who follow us. We run a host of unique educational and social programs designed to help foster professionalism among trial lawyers and promote the continued health of the jury system.
Click here to visit the National website. The History of ABOTA page highlights who we are and what we are about. To learn more about ABOTA’s effort to promote one of the main tenants of its Constitution:
“To elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.”
visit Civility Matters, which captures why we feel civility is critical in our adversary system and what ABOTA is doing to promote it in Massachusetts and across the country.