The Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MTACDL) presented the Montana's Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year Award to Al Avignone last week during the group's annual conference in Chico.
Avignone, a 55-year-old criminal defense attorney who has lived in Bozeman since 1992, convinced a jury to acquit Joshua Warren of rape last September. The highly publicized trial essentially pitted DNA evidence against eyewitness testimony. The victim in the case was steadfast in her belief that Warren raped her, but there was no physical evidence to link him to the crime. In the end, the jury sided with Avignone's team, which included Bozeman attorney Christopher Williams and Avignone's wife, Lisa Banick.
"This year, the theme of our conference was perseverance," MTACDL President James Park Taylor said Monday. "The nature of his defense (during the Warren trial) speaks for itself."
"It's with a little embarrassment I received this award alone," Avignone said. "Because this clearly was a team effort." Avignone, however, is no stranger to high-profile criminal cases. He also served as co-counsel in the case of a 13-year-old boy who killed his father in Gallatin County. Then, Avignone successfully opposed a motion by prosecutors to try the boy as an adult.
He said there's something unique about criminal defense attorneys and whatever it is, "It's in my blood. I'll be doing this 'til the day I die," Avignone said. "I almost don't have a choice."
Avignone, a New Jersey native, earned a law degree from Rutgers University in 1984. His recent award has been given annually to criminal defense attorneys in the state since 1998.
The Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is pleased to recognize Al Avignone with this award, and is honored to count him amongst our members.
