Yulia Khalikova and Anton Kazun. “Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Self-Legitimacy of Attorneys in an Authoritarian State.” Crime Law and Social Change, vol. 75, no. 4 (2021): 1-23.
This study investigates the professional challenges faced by lawyers in authoritarian regimes, using survey data from Russia to explore what influences their desire to remain in the legal profession. It finds that frequent rights violations by law enforcement erode lawyers’ self-legitimacy, increasing their likelihood of leaving the profession. However, strong peer networks within regional bar associations and effective enforcement of ethical standards help retain committed attorneys. The study highlights that lawyers’ decisions to stay or leave have broader political significance, as they not only defend clients but can also contribute to collective action and legal mobilization within authoritarian contexts.