These have been the most interesting 100 days of my life,” as our profession, in addition to playing a crucial role in ensuring high-quality justice, includes many internal dimensions that are not visible from the outside. Even when they are visible, they often do not attract the attention of ordinary citizens. However, for us, properly regulating these areas is essential to ensure that the profession continues to develop and that its effectiveness is not challenged.

First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that this is an independent, self-regulating profession, and every lawyer must work daily towards strengthening it. This is not solely the responsibility of the Chairman. During these 100 days, various formats were used - from meetings with the Prime Minister, to appearances before parliamentary committees, to engagements with high-ranking international diplomats - where we reaffirmed the constitutional standard that represents a major achievement for our profession: its independence and self-regulation.

Secondly, and no less importantly, the profession has always stood, stands today, and will continue to stand firmly in defense of the professional rights of every lawyer. In fact, during these first 100 days, there were up to 25 cases in which the Association had to protect the rights of our colleagues in various ways. The voice of the profession was heard loudly and without hesitation, and this will continue in the future. I will not mention names now, but almost all cases have been reflected in the public space, including on social media. Where necessary, investigations were initiated with our active involvement.

At the same time, I would like to use this opportunity to highlight an issue that remains relevant in Georgia: in some cases, parties to a dispute transfer their personal grievances onto the opposing party’s lawyer, subjecting them to pressure or even bullying, effectively equating the lawyer with their client. This is something we will never allow. Not only will we respond promptly and effectively to such cases, but we have also launched a campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of this issue.

There are many topics I could elaborate on, but that would require far more space. Instead, I will highlight one more important direction: the profession’s strong sense of social responsibility and internal collegial support. Over these 100 days, we established a tradition that will continue in the future. We provided assistance twice to children’s and elderly care homes, and we launched a pro bono forum that lasted a full day, during which more than 100 lawyers offered free legal consultations to citizens in need.

I am also proud to note that a special social fund has been established within the Association, through which the profession supports lawyers facing medical needs, as well as the families of deceased colleagues. During these 100 days, despite limited resources, we provided financial assistance to up to 10 lawyers and issued three additional recommendations for financial support to relevant state institutions. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish good health to all lawyers.

As for the meetings with the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Prosecutor General, it should be noted that lawyers, together with the judiciary and the prosecution, form essential pillars of the justice system. Therefore, coordination and communication between these institutions are in the interest of all. We actively cooperate in the so-called “bench-bar” format, where judges, lawyers, and prosecutors meet periodically to discuss and generalize practice on key legal issues, agree on approaches, and exchange professional views. This format had been inactive for several years, but we have revived it and are already planning the next sessions, which provide a highly practical platform for practicing lawyers.

Regarding the meetings with the Ministers of Justice and Internal Affairs, as well as visits to the Migration Department and penitentiary institutions in Tbilisi and in Adjara/Kutaisi, it is important to note that lawyers must regularly access temporary detention facilities and prisons. This process involves various challenges. I discussed these issues directly with the ministers and outlined specific solutions. Additionally, I personally visited these institutions, observed the conditions firsthand, and spent time with lawyers to assess how effectively they are able to perform their duties.