Tony Bisceglie

ERA 1997

The unwavering support of the Axelrod family, combined with Julie’s steadfast dedication over the decades, resulted in a small but significant legal-defense fund. With those resources, Carol and Julie began reaching out to secure legal representation. 

Carol identified Tony Bisceglie, a prominent lawyer in Washington, DC, known for his influential contacts and expertise. Determined to win his support, Carol made multiple trips to the office of Bisceglie and Walsh. She waited for hours until he would meet with her, presenting my portfolio and other documents to persuade him to take on my case.

Tony agreed. He recognized the effort I had invested in transforming my life and decided to help. Leveraging his network and influence, Tony persuaded other lawyers to join the effort. He brought Jonathan Solovy on board, and together they collaborated on a strategy to advocate for judicial relief.

Although their efforts did not result in any modification to my sentence, the collective support gave me a profound sense of liberty. Knowing that so many people believed in me and were willing to advocate on my behalf reinforced my hope and deepened my commitment to work harder. Their advocacy became a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in oneself and building meaningful relationships.

Tony Bisceglie’s involvement exemplifies the impact of persistence, advocacy, and collaboration. While I did not achieve immediate relief, the experience further solidified my resolve to prove worthy of the blessings and support I received. It is one of the driving forces behind my career in advocacy today, where I aim to show others that self-investment can inspire others to believe in their potential.

Some may feel they do not have access to powerful lawyers like Tony Bisceglie or Jonathan Solovy. Yet all of us have the capacity to work on ourselves. By demonstrating consistent effort and growth, we can inspire others to invest in our success and help us reach new heights.


Self-Directed Learning Question: 

  • “What steps can you take today to demonstrate your commitment to personal growth and inspire others to support your goals?”