Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 3rd is Lawyer's Day in Russia—a professional holiday for everyone working in the legal field: judges, lawyers, prosecutors, notaries, teachers, researchers, law enforcement officers, and corporate lawyers.
The holiday is relatively new: it was established in 2008 by decree of President Vladimir Putin at the initiative of the Russian Lawyers' Association, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. However, the historical roots of the celebration date back to the 19th century: on December 3, 1864, Emperor Alexander II approved the Judicial Statutes—the foundation of the judicial reform that introduced openness, adversarial proceedings, and judicial independence. This date became a turning point for Russian law and, for a time, an unofficial professional holiday.
Builders of a new reality
The systematic development of legal science in Russia began during the reign of Peter the Great. The Tsar ordered the translation of European legal works into Russian and sent Russian students to study abroad. In 1755, with the founding of Moscow University, a law faculty was opened—the country's first platform for training Russian legal scholars. Initially, lectures were given in Latin and based on foreign textbooks, but over time, Russian jurisprudence acquired both its own language and its own authors. Among them was Semyon Denisitsky, the first professor to teach courses in Russian.
The judicial reform of 1864 and the publication of the "Code of Laws of the Russian Empire" were particularly significant for the development of law. These events not only systematized legislation but also shaped generations of lawyers for whom law became more than just a tool of governance, but a profession requiring knowledge, ethics, and responsibility.
After 1917, the legal system underwent profound changes. Lawyers in the Soviet Union were viewed as "builders of a new legal reality," on par with engineers and the military. Today, the profession is once again undergoing a transformation: alongside traditional areas, new ones are emerging—IT law, artificial intelligence regulation, and personal data protection. This requires specialists to continually learn and be flexible in their thinking.
Training of legal experts
At the State University of Management, specialists in public and municipal administration, jurisprudence, and legal support for business are trained at the Institute of Public Administration and Law (IPAL GUU), which was created as a result of the reorganization of one of the university's oldest divisions—the Faculty of Management in Construction and Urban Economy.
Today, ISUiP enrolls over a thousand students in full-time and part-time programs. More than two hundred students annually complete second-degree programs, professional retraining, and advanced training. Moreover, more than three thousand specialists from various fields complete continuing education courses annually.
The institute's faculty comprises more than one hundred scientists and practitioners, including academicians and corresponding members of industry academies, doctors of science and professors, candidates of science, and associate professors.
ISULP graduates are in demand at all levels of state and municipal government: they work in the Russian Presidential Administration, the Federation Council and State Duma offices, federal ministries and agencies, the Accounts Chamber, the Moscow government, the capital's prefectures and district administrations, as well as in law enforcement agencies, city infrastructure, research and educational institutions, and commercial organizations. It is worth noting that the institute is consistently ranked among the top Russian universities for graduate salaries in the legal field, confirming the high quality of its training and the trust of employers.
For serving Themis
Traditionally, on December 3, the Association of Lawyers of Russia presents its highest industry award, the "Lawyer of the Year" prize. Among the laureates are the authors of fundamental laws, scholars, human rights activists, and educators. The prize is awarded in six categories, reflecting the full spectrum of legal activity—from science to education and social protection. Today, in his welcoming address to the congress of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, President Vladimir Putin emphasized: "You have chosen a noble mission—to protect the rights and interests of people and ensure the rule of law in the state. Such a calling requires not only thorough knowledge but also high personal and moral qualities. I would like to especially commend your work in providing free, qualified legal assistance to citizens, including participants in special military operations and their families. Your dedicated service to duty and society is worthy of deep respect and gratitude."
Today, Lawyer's Day is not only an occasion to congratulate colleagues but also an opportunity to remind them of the profession's social mission: protecting citizens' rights, strengthening law and order, and developing a legal culture in society. Universities host academic conferences, discussion platforms, and open lectures. Schoolchildren take the All-Russian Legal Dictation, an opportunity to test their knowledge and reflect on their future profession. Professional groups—from courts to law firms—celebrate the holiday with meetings, sharing experiences, and plans for the future.
The First Management University community respectfully honors all those who have chosen the path of service to the law. May your work bring not only professional satisfaction but also real benefit to those who need it most today. After all, it is lawyers who largely determine how fair, predictable, and human-centered our society will be.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 3, 2025.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.