National pressure records / Article
Who Became an Attorney in 2024
Published on 19 March 2024
Our project recently recorded, for the first time since 2020, a net increase in the number of attorneys: in August 2024, the total number of practising attorneys in Belarus rose compared to April of the same year. According to official data, there are no longer any legal consultation offices in the country without an attorney. As of now, every consultation has at least one specialist, whereas since 2023, there have been consultations operating without a single attorney on staff.
However, the situation remains critical in many areas: there are still consultations where only one lawyer is assigned. Nationwide, 55 districts have just one lawyer serving several thousand — or even tens of thousands — residents.
In our view, this reflects the role the Belarusian authorities assign to the legal profession: to exist as a formal part of the process for protecting rights and freedoms, but to operate within extremely narrow limits. The aim seems to be to maintain a façade of legality, so as not to violate procedural rules too blatantly. At the same time, the legal profession is increasingly becoming an instrument of state propaganda. Opportunities for attorneys are shrinking, and the spectre of people who can, at a whim, push an attorney out of the profession keeps growing. Unsurprisingly, this does little to attract new entrants to a field where the risks of doing something "wrong" are very high. We believe that the lack of freedom within the legal profession is a key reason why, rather than holding competitive exams, the authorities are now actively trying to recruit potential candidates.
So who is entering the profession under these conditions? Our project conducted a small study to find out who became an attorney in 2024. The study relied exclusively on open-source data, which imposes certain limitations on the scope and detail of the information.
You can read our earlier study on who became an attorney in 2023.
However, the situation remains critical in many areas: there are still consultations where only one lawyer is assigned. Nationwide, 55 districts have just one lawyer serving several thousand — or even tens of thousands — residents.
In our view, this reflects the role the Belarusian authorities assign to the legal profession: to exist as a formal part of the process for protecting rights and freedoms, but to operate within extremely narrow limits. The aim seems to be to maintain a façade of legality, so as not to violate procedural rules too blatantly. At the same time, the legal profession is increasingly becoming an instrument of state propaganda. Opportunities for attorneys are shrinking, and the spectre of people who can, at a whim, push an attorney out of the profession keeps growing. Unsurprisingly, this does little to attract new entrants to a field where the risks of doing something "wrong" are very high. We believe that the lack of freedom within the legal profession is a key reason why, rather than holding competitive exams, the authorities are now actively trying to recruit potential candidates.
So who is entering the profession under these conditions? Our project conducted a small study to find out who became an attorney in 2024. The study relied exclusively on open-source data, which imposes certain limitations on the scope and detail of the information.
You can read our earlier study on who became an attorney in 2023.
1. The general state of the Bar
Following the falsified elections of 2020 and the onset of widespread repressive practices, the number of attorneys in Belarus has been steadily declining. At the beginning of 2021, there were 2,074 attorneys. By the start of 2022, this number had fallen to 1,874, and by early 2023 — to 1,692. The year 2024 began with 1,603 attorneys. Paradoxically, the year ended with exactly the same number — on 1 January 2025, there were 1,603 attorneys in Belarus.
Nevertheless, the Chair of the Belarusian Republican Bar Association, A. Shvakou, cited a net increase of five attorneys in his year-end remarks (though five specialists for an entire country is a very modest figure). Our project, based on our own research, does not confirm an overall increase in the number of attorneys. Most likely, this discrepancy is due to selective use of reference points that allow for more convenient comparisons.
In the following section of the article, we use lists of individuals whom we were able to identify by name — 81 new attorneys who entered the profession, and 81 who left. It's important to note that all such lists have certain specific features: varying update cycles, methods of recordkeeping, and so on. Minor discrepancies may exist but do not affect the broader picture.
Nevertheless, the Chair of the Belarusian Republican Bar Association, A. Shvakou, cited a net increase of five attorneys in his year-end remarks (though five specialists for an entire country is a very modest figure). Our project, based on our own research, does not confirm an overall increase in the number of attorneys. Most likely, this discrepancy is due to selective use of reference points that allow for more convenient comparisons.
In the following section of the article, we use lists of individuals whom we were able to identify by name — 81 new attorneys who entered the profession, and 81 who left. It's important to note that all such lists have certain specific features: varying update cycles, methods of recordkeeping, and so on. Minor discrepancies may exist but do not affect the broader picture.
NOTE:
For readers already familiar with our previous article analysing the presence — or absence — of attorneys in legal consultation offices across the country, it’s worth clarifying that that article used aggregated data for the period from April 2024 to January 2025. This article, however, examines the flow of incoming and outgoing attorneys over the calendar year — from 1 January to 31 December 2024. As a result, the figures cited in the two articles are based on different timeframes.
At least 13 attorneys were stripped of their licences in 2024 as a result of decisions made by the Qualification Commission and routine re-certification procedures. In addition, between 28 February and 26 May 2024, several well-known and experienced attorneys disappeared from the attorney registry published on the website of the Belarusian Republican Bar Association (BRBA). Notably, there is no public information available about these attorneys having been subjected to the usual formal procedures for depriving them of the right to profession. This may indicate a new strategy: the use of non-public methods for removing attorneys from the profession.
In April 2024, a new minimum staffing requirement was introduced for legal consultation offices in the country. Back in 2014, the minimum number of attorneys required in consultations was set at 1,313. The 2024 decree raised this figure to 1,454 — an increase of 141. That figure roughly corresponds to the expected minimum number of attorneys who transitioned from individual practice or law firms into legal consultation offices, along with those who entered the profession by passing the bar exam over the past ten years.
In 2023, our project drew attention to the existence of legal consultation offices with either only one attorney — or none at all. We’re pleased to report that, as of the end of 2024, every active consultation office has at least one specialist on staff. While we cannot definitively say that external scrutiny led to action on this issue, it’s worth noting that in the absence of truthful reporting by state media, information shared by independent projects like ours remains one of the most important ways to identify and publicise systemic problems.
That said, we must also emphasise that the situation remains critical in consultation offices staffed by just one attorney. Across the country, 55 districts are served by only a single attorney each—meaning that one attorney is responsible for several thousand (or even tens of thousands) people.
You can read more detailed figures and our full analysis of 2024's developments in the Belarusian bar at the links below:
https://www.defendersbelarus.org/2024whatwillstandoutforthehumanrightsandlegalcommunity
https://www.defendersbelarus.org/howhasaccesstolegalaidchangedinbelarusin2024
In April 2024, a new minimum staffing requirement was introduced for legal consultation offices in the country. Back in 2014, the minimum number of attorneys required in consultations was set at 1,313. The 2024 decree raised this figure to 1,454 — an increase of 141. That figure roughly corresponds to the expected minimum number of attorneys who transitioned from individual practice or law firms into legal consultation offices, along with those who entered the profession by passing the bar exam over the past ten years.
In 2023, our project drew attention to the existence of legal consultation offices with either only one attorney — or none at all. We’re pleased to report that, as of the end of 2024, every active consultation office has at least one specialist on staff. While we cannot definitively say that external scrutiny led to action on this issue, it’s worth noting that in the absence of truthful reporting by state media, information shared by independent projects like ours remains one of the most important ways to identify and publicise systemic problems.
That said, we must also emphasise that the situation remains critical in consultation offices staffed by just one attorney. Across the country, 55 districts are served by only a single attorney each—meaning that one attorney is responsible for several thousand (or even tens of thousands) people.
You can read more detailed figures and our full analysis of 2024's developments in the Belarusian bar at the links below:
https://www.defendersbelarus.org/2024whatwillstandoutforthehumanrightsandlegalcommunity
https://www.defendersbelarus.org/howhasaccesstolegalaidchangedinbelarusin2024
2. Who became an attorney in 2024
To recap:
On 30 November 2021, amendments to the Law On the Bar and Legal Practice came into force. Among the most controversial and hotly debated changes within the legal community were those simplifying the internship and qualification exam procedures for employees of the judiciary, prosecution service, law enforcement, and investigative bodies.
One notable trend previously observed was that, despite the simplified entry procedures for these groups, there was no significant influx of former judges, prosecutors, or law enforcement officials into the bar. In 2023, we recorded just five such cases.
Another method used to increase the number of attorneys has been the recruitment of young lawyers, particularly recent graduates from law faculties.
According to data published on the official website of the Ministry of Justice:
These figures were tracked by our project through regular reviews of the state of the bar, and they reflect the actual number of practising attorneys.
Last year, when conducting a similar review of new entrants to the bar, we categorised the newcomers into several groups:
Another method used to increase the number of attorneys has been the recruitment of young lawyers, particularly recent graduates from law faculties.
According to data published on the official website of the Ministry of Justice:
- In total, 81 people entered the attorney profession in 2024
- 81 names disappeared from the attorney registry
- The year began with 1,603 attorneys
- By the end of 2024, the number remained 1,603 attorneys
These figures were tracked by our project through regular reviews of the state of the bar, and they reflect the actual number of practising attorneys.
Last year, when conducting a similar review of new entrants to the bar, we categorised the newcomers into several groups:
- “Former” officials who became attorneys
- Attorneys with no digital footprint
- Young attorneys just starting out
- Academics entering the bar
- Private-sector legal professionals from law firms, legal businesses, or commercial legal departments
- Attorneys with a "typical" career path
2.1. “Former” officials becoming attorneys (9)
This category includes former employees of investigative agencies, the prosecution service, the police, as well as judges. In 2024, the number of such individuals entering the attorney profession was nine, which is more than in 2023. That year, there were five new attorneys with prior experience or service in these fields. In 2023, this group accounted for 10% of all new attorneys, while in 2024, the percentage rose to 11%. Some interesting career paths have emerged: from prosecutor to judge, from judge to private practice, and now into the attorney profession. There are also former representatives of the Investigative Committee, police officers, particularly from the traffic police (GAI) and the Criminal Investigation Department (GUBOPiK).
Several individuals in this category are worth mentioning:
Several individuals in this category are worth mentioning:
- Yegor Kronda: A full namesake can be found in articles online related to the "round dance case" in Brest after the 2020 protests, triggered by election fraud and unprecedented violence by the security forces. Yegor Kronda served as the state prosecutor in the "round dance case" and other cases against individuals who were later recognized as political prisoners.
- Ivan Protski: A person by this name served as Deputy Prosecutor of the Central District of Minsk and acted as the state prosecutor in politically motivated cases.
- Vadim Khilyuta: According to available information, Khilyuta has experience working in the justice system (2002-2010), is an associate professor at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, and is an expert who provided an assessment of a portrait created by Ales Pushkin. He called the portrait's subject a Nazi (the painting depicted a member of the anti-Soviet partisan movement), which led to Ales Pushkin being sentenced to five years in prison. The prisoner never walked free — he died in custody. The attorney who defended Pushkin, Yulia Yurhilyevich, was convicted for allegedly aiding an extremist organization by sharing the verdict with the “Belsat” TV channel, and her license was revoked.
- Nikolai Starodubtsev: Before becoming an attorney, he was a senior officer in the GUBOPiK of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel.
- Svetlana Arnaut: A namesake previously headed the legal department of the company "Gard-Service," the only private company authorized to use firearms. Its employees were reportedly trained by mercenaries from the Wagner Group.
2.2. Attorneys with no digital footprint (or with "gaps") (27)
In our previous report, we noted that even in the age of digital technology, some individuals manage to enter the attorney profession with no digital trace — no publications, speeches, work, or achievements. Information about such attorneys is very limited, and often, there are only mentions of their participation in ideological events. These individuals are not necessarily former representatives of the relevant agencies and departments. The distribution of this category across the bar associations, like last year, is not concentrated in Minsk but is spread across the entire country.
This category also includes individuals whose information is limited to their time as students, participation in sports events and competitions, but then there is a gap of several years where it is unclear what they were doing. For example, in 2024, an individual entered the bar after graduating from university in 1998, obtaining their license in 2024, and with over 18 years of professional experience. However, this is the only information listed in their attorney profile.
From our list, we can highlight nine names for which there is absolutely no information available online. Eighteen other individuals fall into the category of those for whom there is insufficient information to identify their background. This is neither good nor bad, but of course, we would prefer to see more prominent personalities in the bar — individuals with academic publications, experience of participation in the legal contests, contributions to legal journals. It is evident that such individuals are quite common among the attorneys who left the profession in 2024 but are virtually absent among those entering it.
This category also includes individuals whose information is limited to their time as students, participation in sports events and competitions, but then there is a gap of several years where it is unclear what they were doing. For example, in 2024, an individual entered the bar after graduating from university in 1998, obtaining their license in 2024, and with over 18 years of professional experience. However, this is the only information listed in their attorney profile.
From our list, we can highlight nine names for which there is absolutely no information available online. Eighteen other individuals fall into the category of those for whom there is insufficient information to identify their background. This is neither good nor bad, but of course, we would prefer to see more prominent personalities in the bar — individuals with academic publications, experience of participation in the legal contests, contributions to legal journals. It is evident that such individuals are quite common among the attorneys who left the profession in 2024 but are virtually absent among those entering it.
2.3. Young attorneys (24)
Throughout the year, we’ve written extensively about the activities of young attorneys and their role in state propaganda. We classify as “young attorneys” those who have only recently graduated from university and are just beginning their legal careers. Notably, in 2024, 24 of the newly admitted attorneys — 30% of the total — were recent graduates. In 2023, the share was slightly higher: 18 out of 50 new attorneys, or 36%. That said, this figure is very approximate. It's quite possible that a significant portion of those we categorised as attorneys with no digital footprint are also recent graduates entering the profession straight from university.
One trend we noticed after reviewing the social media of newly admitted attorneys is that nearly all of them either actively express pro-government views online, participated in Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM) events during their student years, or are involved in the Council of Young Attorneys, which promotes state propaganda. For example, several took part in the “Nado” video campaign addressed to A.G. Lukashenko, urging him to run for another presidential term. This behaviour is also common among many attorneys without a digital footprint — not only those we could clearly identify as recent graduates.
In essence, gaining or keeping an attorney’s licence now often seems to depend not so much on passing an exam or demonstrating legal expertise, but rather on making overt displays of loyalty to the regime. This is evident in how the young people entering the profession are quickly drawn into organising propaganda events and supporting illegitimate legislation. Some of them may sincerely believe in the values promoted by the state — though that raises questions about their suitability to defend individuals systematically repressed by that same state. Others may simply see no alternative but to immediately play by the rules and “earn favour” to secure their place in the system.
While we believe it would be wrong to blame these attorneys for operating under such conditions, we must nevertheless highlight a worrying trend: in the absence of alternative role models, and with no visible examples of genuine legal practice or professional ethics, there is a real risk that an entire generation of attorneys will grow up without any understanding of the true nature and mission of the legal profession.
One trend we noticed after reviewing the social media of newly admitted attorneys is that nearly all of them either actively express pro-government views online, participated in Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM) events during their student years, or are involved in the Council of Young Attorneys, which promotes state propaganda. For example, several took part in the “Nado” video campaign addressed to A.G. Lukashenko, urging him to run for another presidential term. This behaviour is also common among many attorneys without a digital footprint — not only those we could clearly identify as recent graduates.
In essence, gaining or keeping an attorney’s licence now often seems to depend not so much on passing an exam or demonstrating legal expertise, but rather on making overt displays of loyalty to the regime. This is evident in how the young people entering the profession are quickly drawn into organising propaganda events and supporting illegitimate legislation. Some of them may sincerely believe in the values promoted by the state — though that raises questions about their suitability to defend individuals systematically repressed by that same state. Others may simply see no alternative but to immediately play by the rules and “earn favour” to secure their place in the system.
While we believe it would be wrong to blame these attorneys for operating under such conditions, we must nevertheless highlight a worrying trend: in the absence of alternative role models, and with no visible examples of genuine legal practice or professional ethics, there is a real risk that an entire generation of attorneys will grow up without any understanding of the true nature and mission of the legal profession.
2.3. Academics Entering the Bar (3)
It used to be more common for attorneys to move into teaching, rather than for university lecturers to become attorneys. In 2023, however, four university instructors in legal disciplines entered the attorney profession. In 2024, we are aware of three such individuals. One of them is the previously mentioned V. Khilyuta, who was involved in the case against Ales Pushkin. The other two are young professionals who graduated from university in 2022–2023 and have since taken up teaching positions at their alma maters.
2.4. Private Legal Sector, Law Firms, Corporate Lawyers (5)
This category includes those who entered the bar after prior experience in the legal profession as outsourced counsel, or who previously operated as sole proprietors providing legal services but were forced to liquidate their businesses following the entry into force of another set of amendments to the legislation regulating the legal profession, which introduced a ban on individual practice.
In 2023, the number of those who moved into the bar from private practice or firms was nine. As we noted at the time, it appears that almost everyone who wished to transition into the bar has already done so. This likely explains the continued decline — already from a low baseline — in the number of representatives of this category, despite the fact that, traditionally, law firms and individual practitioners had been a regular “source” of new members for the bar.
In 2023, the number of those who moved into the bar from private practice or firms was nine. As we noted at the time, it appears that almost everyone who wished to transition into the bar has already done so. This likely explains the continued decline — already from a low baseline — in the number of representatives of this category, despite the fact that, traditionally, law firms and individual practitioners had been a regular “source” of new members for the bar.
2.5. Attorneys with a “Conventional” Career Path (6)
This group comprises those who entered the bar from related (or not necessarily so) fields. The 2024 lists include:
- a former bank employee;
- a “patriotic” head of a sales department;
- a specialist from the Minsk Regional Agency for State Registration;
- a sole proprietor in retail trade (and, concurrently, a member of an election commission in 2016 and 2020, now actively engaged in propaganda activities);
- a human resources specialist;
- a legal adviser at one of the legal advice offices;
- a former employee of the Main Justice Department of the Minsk City Executive Committee.
3. Profiles Warranting Attention This Year
There is a number of lawyers who do not fall within the categories used in the previous study:
- Reinstated attorneys
- Former court clerks, assistants, and court staff
3.1. Reinstated Attorneys (11)
As the name suggests, the 2024 lists include 11 specialists who had previously been practicing attorneys, subsequently suspended their practice for some time, and have now chosen to return. It is difficult to assess this phenomenon, but this is the first time we have observed such a number.
3.2. Former Court Clerks, Assistants, and Court Staff (6)
In 2024, six women from the court system — both from the economic and general jurisdiction branches — became attorneys. One of them possesses ten years of experience heading a court’s office in a small district, where she has now also started her legal practice. As a quick aside, this process is mutual: a number of people have also moved in the opposite direction — from the bar to positions providing administrative support to the courts.
4. Who Left or Was Disbarred from the Profession in 2024?
Our project was able to identify 81 names of attorneys who disappeared from the official rosters over the year. A few figures:
The 18 persons (about 22% of those who left the profession) who departed as a result of repressive measures fall into the following categories: those who defended political prisoners; those who were detained or forced to leave the country after the mass arrests in February 2024; one attorney who was expelled from the bar “in connection with the entry into force of a court judgment finding the attorney guilty of committing an intentional crime”; eight attorneys who were disbarred “due to insufficient qualifications”; three attorneys who were expelled “for committing an act incompatible with the title of attorney”; and one attorney disbarred “for systematic (two or more times within a 12-month period) violations of the requirements for practicing law established by legislation”.
We consider these procedures unlawful, as they are incompatible with the principles of the independence of attorneys and the bar, under which the state cannot assess an attorney’s compliance with ethical standards or their professional qualifications; such assessments must be carried out by independent bodies. The lack of independence of the councils of territorial bar associations, for example, means that their disciplinary proceedings cannot be considered fully reliable. For this reason, disbarment resulting from these procedures is unlawful, regardless of other circumstances.
Among the nine individuals known to have continued their careers (in Belarus, Russia, and Poland), at least three are known to have continued working in the legal field: two in court administration and one appointed as a judge of the Kobryn District Court. Two others began working in other jurisdictions (Russia, Poland). Three more are known to be working as in-house legal professionals (in a forestry enterprise, a mediation center, and the Hi-Tech Park).
- 10 persons retired (their licenses were issued in the 1990s).
- 18 persons left the profession as a result of the state’s use of repressive mechanisms.
- 9 persons continued their professional careers in other areas.
- 2 persons passed away.
- 4 persons disappeared from the Ministry of Justice rosters but are still listed as attorneys on the websites of their respective bar associations.
- For 37 persons, it was not possible to draw definitive conclusions about the reasons for leaving the profession.
The 18 persons (about 22% of those who left the profession) who departed as a result of repressive measures fall into the following categories: those who defended political prisoners; those who were detained or forced to leave the country after the mass arrests in February 2024; one attorney who was expelled from the bar “in connection with the entry into force of a court judgment finding the attorney guilty of committing an intentional crime”; eight attorneys who were disbarred “due to insufficient qualifications”; three attorneys who were expelled “for committing an act incompatible with the title of attorney”; and one attorney disbarred “for systematic (two or more times within a 12-month period) violations of the requirements for practicing law established by legislation”.
We consider these procedures unlawful, as they are incompatible with the principles of the independence of attorneys and the bar, under which the state cannot assess an attorney’s compliance with ethical standards or their professional qualifications; such assessments must be carried out by independent bodies. The lack of independence of the councils of territorial bar associations, for example, means that their disciplinary proceedings cannot be considered fully reliable. For this reason, disbarment resulting from these procedures is unlawful, regardless of other circumstances.
Among the nine individuals known to have continued their careers (in Belarus, Russia, and Poland), at least three are known to have continued working in the legal field: two in court administration and one appointed as a judge of the Kobryn District Court. Two others began working in other jurisdictions (Russia, Poland). Three more are known to be working as in-house legal professionals (in a forestry enterprise, a mediation center, and the Hi-Tech Park).
5. Distribution of Attorneys by Regional Bar Associations and Other Findings
Breakdown of attorneys who left by regional bar association, compared with those who entered the profession.
Note
In the article where we analyzed the situation with legal consultation offices operating without any attorneys or with only one practicing attorney, we used aggregate data for the period from April 2024 to January 2025. The figures below reflect the distribution of incoming and departing attorneys for the period from January to December 2024. |
As can be seen, the Brest, Grodno, and Minsk Region bar associations are “in decline”, even though the Brest and Grodno associations had previously been among the most stable. In Minsk, the situation remains unchanged (no growth). Positive dynamics are observed in Vitebsk, Gomel, and Mogilev.
Of the 81 attorneys we identified as newly admitted to the profession, 24 (30%) joined the bar directly from law school. It should be understood that this figure does not mean that only 30% of all new attorneys came straight from university — a much larger share of new attorneys leave no digital footprint accessible to our investigation, and among them there may be a majority of recent graduates (or not — we will continue to monitor how the profiles of new attorneys evolve).
At the same time, several well-known attorneys with many years of experience and a deep understanding of how the profession operates were removed from the rosters.
Among the 81 new attorneys, 56 are women and 25 are men. There is a clear gender imbalance: women make up nearly 70% of all new attorneys.
Overall, the trends we have noted in previous studies of the profession are confirmed:
It should be kept in mind that 80 attorneys account for about 5% of the total number of attorneys at present. Even if no one were to leave the profession, at the current pace it would take at least eight years to restore the 2020 numbers (2,200 attorneys).
It is challenging to determine which groups of applicants accounted for the increase of 30 newly admitted attorneys compared to last year (81 versus 50). The significant share of attorneys without any digital footprint makes extrapolation and analysis extremely challenging. Nevertheless, it can be noted that, as before, the bar is by no means being filled wholesale with former police officers, judges, or prosecutors — though individual profiles can still be striking.
We would describe the current state as a kind of stagnation: it is evident that something unviable is being built, yet the accumulated traditions and expertise still sustain the sphere of legal assistance, albeit one encumbered by numerous restrictions. At the same time, some of the “newly admitted” attorneys are joining legal consultation offices with only one practicing attorney, where opportunities for continuity and preservation of traditions remain extremely limited. Overall, highly qualified specialists are being driven out and replaced, for the most part, by those who have yet to make their mark in the legal field.
As for our forecast for 2025 compared to 2024, we do not anticipate any dramatic changes in the number of newly admitted attorneys. Regarding departures resulting from hostile procedures, we have already predicted a gradual decline in such cases — the “rules of the game” changed long ago, and nearly all those targeted for license revocation have already lost their licenses. Overall, our forecast for the end of 2025 is a total of 1,615 attorneys (starting point at the beginning of the year: 1,603).
Of the 81 attorneys we identified as newly admitted to the profession, 24 (30%) joined the bar directly from law school. It should be understood that this figure does not mean that only 30% of all new attorneys came straight from university — a much larger share of new attorneys leave no digital footprint accessible to our investigation, and among them there may be a majority of recent graduates (or not — we will continue to monitor how the profiles of new attorneys evolve).
At the same time, several well-known attorneys with many years of experience and a deep understanding of how the profession operates were removed from the rosters.
Among the 81 new attorneys, 56 are women and 25 are men. There is a clear gender imbalance: women make up nearly 70% of all new attorneys.
Overall, the trends we have noted in previous studies of the profession are confirmed:
- The “rejuvenation” of the bar and the active involvement of new attorneys in propaganda work;
- A slowdown in the overall rate of decline in attorney numbers (for the first time since 2020, our project recorded growth in the number of attorneys — although it did not remain positive by the end of the year);
- The entry into the bar of several individuals who had previously participated in active repression against Belarusian citizens as judges, prosecutors, or law enforcement officers. The list of current attorneys now includes individuals who played a role in the imprisonment of the late Ales Pushkin, in the Brest “round dance case”, and in other politically motivated prosecutions between 2020 and 2024.
It should be kept in mind that 80 attorneys account for about 5% of the total number of attorneys at present. Even if no one were to leave the profession, at the current pace it would take at least eight years to restore the 2020 numbers (2,200 attorneys).
It is challenging to determine which groups of applicants accounted for the increase of 30 newly admitted attorneys compared to last year (81 versus 50). The significant share of attorneys without any digital footprint makes extrapolation and analysis extremely challenging. Nevertheless, it can be noted that, as before, the bar is by no means being filled wholesale with former police officers, judges, or prosecutors — though individual profiles can still be striking.
We would describe the current state as a kind of stagnation: it is evident that something unviable is being built, yet the accumulated traditions and expertise still sustain the sphere of legal assistance, albeit one encumbered by numerous restrictions. At the same time, some of the “newly admitted” attorneys are joining legal consultation offices with only one practicing attorney, where opportunities for continuity and preservation of traditions remain extremely limited. Overall, highly qualified specialists are being driven out and replaced, for the most part, by those who have yet to make their mark in the legal field.
As for our forecast for 2025 compared to 2024, we do not anticipate any dramatic changes in the number of newly admitted attorneys. Regarding departures resulting from hostile procedures, we have already predicted a gradual decline in such cases — the “rules of the game” changed long ago, and nearly all those targeted for license revocation have already lost their licenses. Overall, our forecast for the end of 2025 is a total of 1,615 attorneys (starting point at the beginning of the year: 1,603).
Results of the Study in Charts
A visual comparison of the numbers for 2023 and 2024
Inside - 2024, outside - 2023.
