Making the Match Between the Law and the Facts

Litigation attorney Daniel Small authored a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article about the challenges and lessons involved in applying the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) beyond its original target of the Italian Mafia. Reflecting on his experience as a young prosecutor, Mr. Small recounts the internal and external hurdles faced when bringing an early RICO case against corrupt law enforcement officers in rural Georgia – including initial skepticism from federal officials and a judge wary of the law's reach. The story highlights how persistence, a firm grasp of both the law and the facts and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking can ultimately lead to justice, even when navigating unfamiliar legal territory.

READ: Making the Match Between the Law and the Facts