The triumph of the advocate’s profession

A solemn ceremony of awarding the National Award in the sphere of the Bar and advocacy was held at the Izvestia Hall on April 23 of 2013. The worthiest of the most worthy received hard evidence of recognition by the advocates’ community:

- Diplomas of honor “Business Reputation” – for significant achievements in the sphere of legal assistance, also gratuitous one, significant contribution to the development of legal science, preparation of qualified legal personnel and high business reputation;

- Triumph statuette – for professional authority, outstanding achievements in the sphere of organizing the advocates’ activity and assistance to the realization of the citizens’ and organizations’ constitutional right to qualified legal help;

- Badge “For Honor and Dignity” – for selfless service to the cause of protection of rights and liberties of human and citizen, awarded to advocates, who display exceptional examples of the art of advocacy, who adhere to the high ideals of honor and dignity of the advocate’s profession.

Evgeny Semenyako, President of the Federal Chamber of Advocates, proudly mentioned in his welcoming speech that the advocate’s profession is important and will remain important in the light of protection of the client’s rights. Therefore, it was twice the pleasure for him that the occasion, which was expected by many with awe, occurred on the year of the tenth anniversary of establishment of the Federal Chamber of Advocates of Russia. Vladimir Pligin, Chairman of the State Duma Committee of constitutional legislation and construction of State, elaborated on that thought and pointed out that the Bar should not only live but to “really live”. And that would be possible, if the Bar should remain an elite organization that is ready to fight for justice by any legal means, and with leaders, whom it should and would follow. In his turn, Henry Reznik, President of the Chamber of Advocates of the city of Moscow, who was awarded the “Honor and Dignity” badge, called upon the advocates’ community to restore the former high meaning to those words, which are so needed in our “partly lost” time. As an example, he cited Maximilien Robespierre and his words about the Bar, pronounced before he had become a bloody dictator: “the bulwark of innocence”, “the scourge of the crime”. Advocacy is incompatible with dictatorship, and the meaning of such qualities as honesty, integrity, good faith, falls victim to the oppression of personality, - lamented the famous advocate.

The guests of the event encouraged the speakers in their intention to be guided by the best members of the profession, to strive for new professional achievements and to go beyond the conquered objectives.

The Law Firm "YUST" was among those who received awards in the Triumph nomination. When the organizers were presenting the laureate to the public, they pointed out the hard work of the Association’s advocates, when they were invited as experts to participate in the development of the Civil Code, Tax Code, Penal Procedural Code, laws on commercial companies, on insolvency (bankruptcy), on the advocate’s activity and the Bar in the Russian Federation and many other legal acts. They also emphasized social and charity activities of the Association.

Advocate Alexey Popov, Partner of the Law Firm "YUST", expressed gratitude to the Award Committee and shared with those present the sense of genuine pleasure of being surrounded by acclaimed specialists and respected experts of advocacy.

The full list of the laureates is available here.

That festive evening, advocates wished each other much needed health, maintenance of work rhythm and interesting cases.

Information:

The National Award in the sphere of the Bar and advocacy was founded in 2008 by the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation, by the Foundation of support and development of the Bar “Advocate’s Initiative” and public associations of advocates – Federal Union of Advocates of Russia, Advocates’ Association of Russia and the International Union (Commonwealth) of Advocates.

The main goal of the Award is to encourage advocates and advocates’ associations, which actively support and consolidate the high standards of the advocate’s profession, contribute to the development of advocacy as an efficient institution of civil society.