Freek Van der Vet. “Spies, Lies, Trials, and Trolls: Political Lawyering Against Disinformation and State Surveillance in Russia.” Law & Social Inquiry, vol. 46, no. 2 (2021): 407-434.
This article investigates how political lawyers in Russia navigate and resist authoritarian tactics such as disinformation campaigns, government surveillance, and secrecy. Despite operating under intense repression, these lawyers employ both legal and extra-legal strategies—like audits, public rankings, and transparency initiatives—to challenge state narratives and hold officials accountable. Their efforts illustrate the potential for legal professionals to act as agents of resistance within authoritarian regimes that rely heavily on controlling information. The Russian experience sheds light on how lawyers in backsliding democracies can push back against covert authoritarian tools, contributing to broader debates on the role of legal actors in fragile political contexts.