Russian law has been developing at all times since its formation thanks to outstanding figures, famous lawyers. Our country today has at its disposal, according to approximate estimates, about 700,000 lawyers. Among them there are those whose names are well known. So who are they - the most famous lawyers in Russia?
At the origins of Russian law
In 1722, Peter I signed a decree on the establishment of the post of Prosecutor General, and Count Yaguzhinsky became the first. In his new position, he especially zealously followed the legality and fairness of the resolution of all cases. The count was very smart and enterprising, for which he received the favor of the king himself.
The first well-known lawyers of Russia are more familiar to many as writers and civil figures, however, they did a lot in jurisprudence. Thus, the well-known statesman of that era, Gavrila Derzhavin, who was the first minister of justice in the history of the state, had a hand in the development of law in Russia. He held the post for only a year, but managed to do a lot - to startformation of an arbitration court, prevent the appointment of people in communication to senior positions, fight bribery.
Alexander Radishchev was also a famous Russian lawyer. He received his education in Leipzig, but began to engage in full-fledged legal activity in Russia only after his exile for free-thinking literary works. Then he became the author of many legal works and treatises. Radishchev is also considered the father of judicial statistics, since it was he who began to study, analyze and systematize criminal law phenomena.
Famous Russian lawyers of the 19th century
This time is marked by two prominent figures. So, the name of Anatoly Koni is familiar from the lessons of history even to those who are far from the legal world. This is an outstanding judicial figure, prosecutor, publicist. In addition, he created several works on legal topics, which were reprinted several times. He was also engaged in teaching activities at the main law faculties of the country.
Famous lawyers of pre-revolutionary Russia include the name of the famous Fyodor Plevako, who was called both an eloquent and a Chrysostom. He knew how to convey his idea to everyone, controlled the crowd with the skill of a virtuoso and became famous thanks to his lawyer's speeches. As a lawyer, he represented his clients in civil and criminal cases and won most of them brilliantly. Plevako was so famous that his speeches were published in newspapers, and people came to his speeches just to hear the greatspeaker.
20th century lawyers
During the Soviet Union, it was difficult to become an outstanding lawyer without holding an important government post. Nevertheless, famous Russian lawyers of the 20th century are famous for their contribution to the history of our country.
One of the most prominent figures of law in the USSR can be called Andrei Vyshinsky, who was not only a prosecutor and foreign minister, but also a confidant of Stalin. Despite a brilliant mind and outstanding political and state powers, the figure is very controversial. So, he unconditionally supported all decisions of the government. Moreover, without his visa, not a single order of a single people's commissar received a move. He was also a member of the commission on resolving issues with the death pen alty, chaired all the high-profile cases of that era, for example, he was one of the main members of the Soviet commission at the Nuremberg Tribunal and the de facto curator of the repressive authorities in the USSR.
Another notable name is Pyotr Stuchka, who has held many key positions in the judiciary, including being the chairman of the Supreme Court of the RSFSR. In addition, he was the first editor of the Encyclopedia of State and Law, one of the authors of the Civil Code of 1922 and the founder of the Institute of Soviet Law.
Outstanding lawyers of our time
Today in Russia a good lawyer is required for every public or we althy person. Thanks to high-profile and scandalous cases involving celebrities, well-known Russian lawyers of the 21st century appear to represent their interests. Themthe names are familiar even to those who are far from this sphere.
First in the list of outstanding lawyers of our time, we note Henry Reznik, President of the Moscow Chamber of Lawyers. His work experience is impressive - he has been in the profession since 1965, dealing with both criminal and civil cases. He was and continues to be a trustee of such prominent figures as Chubais, the Yeltsin family, Gaidar and others. Known for protecting famous musicians, publicists, journalists and politicians.
The name of the lawyer Vadim Klyugvant is now inextricably linked with the high-profile case of Yukos and Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Having received 14 years for money laundering, Khodorkovsky nevertheless achieved an early release, but, as the media assures, this became possible only thanks to Klugvant's ability to reach out to the president himself.
Famous female lawyers
According to statistics, today there are an equal number of men and women in the profession, but high posts and high-profile cases go predominantly to men. But among them there are truly successful and famous women lawyers in Russia.
This can be called Tamara Morshchakova, who is famous for her co-authorship of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the position of judge of the Constitutional Court. She was an adherent of the liberal wing and championed the rule of law. After her resignation, she did not finish her career and taught at many of the country's most important universities, and also, at the invitation of D. Medvedev, took part in the consideration of the Yukos case.
Another prominent female name in a series of high-profile lawsuits in modern Russia is Irina Khrunova. She, along with Farid Murtazin, represented the interests of Ekaterina Samutsevich, a member of the controversial Pussy Riot group, in court. She was lucky with her lawyers, since one Samutsevich managed to get a suspended sentence, while the other participants received real sentences. The successful lawyer is also famous for representing Khodorkovsky in the case against Berezovsky.
Young Russian lawyers
The Chechen Murad Musaev can be called the most significant among young lawyers in Russia. He is only 33, but he is one of the most sought-after lawyers in the capital. Musaev is well educated, he graduated from a prestigious school in the UK and received several higher educations in Russia, he is fluent in Russian, Chechen, English and French.
Musaev became famous thanks to the case of Albert Tsgoev, who shot the guards of the President of South Ossetia in 2011. He was threatened with life imprisonment, but thanks to the efforts of Musaev and the proven state of passion of his client, Tsgoev got off with a minor sentence of only 2.5 years.
Infamous Russian lawyers
Among modern Russian lawyers, there are those who are famous not only for their undoubted success in the profession, but also for scandalous stories or excessive publicity.
The first of them is undoubtedly the lawyer Dobrovinsky, who is known not only for his clients (these are pop stars, artists, disgracedoligarchs and other public people), but also through their statements regarding opponents. Has an award as the best lawyer in Russia in 2003.
Pavel Astakhov, a successful lawyer, has long been associated with a television career as a judge on the Hour of Judgment program, an unsuccessful career as a child rights ombudsman and extremely controversial and even scandalous statements made in this post. As a lawyer, he was remembered for defending Luzhkov, Stepashin, Shvydkoy, Spivakov, Landau and others.
Of course, these are not all famous Russian lawyers, but we have listed the most notable names who became famous for their contribution to the development of jurisprudence or high-profile and successful cases.
