USAID Rule of Law Program through its Rule of Law Hub in Kutaisi organized a career talks for new students at Akaki Tsereteli State University and Kutaisi University.

The occasion marked the start of the 2023-2024 academic year for law students. Over 200 students from both universities had the opportunity to engage with the Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association (GBA), Davit Asatiani, and the First Deputy of the Legal Aid Service (LAS), Nino Meladze.

During the presentation, the GBA Chairman delivered a speech about the profession of an attorney, emphasizing its role as guarantor of the proper administration of justice and the rule of law. He reminded the audience about May 26, 1918, when the National Council of Georgia in Tbilisi declared the country's independence, established the Democratic Republic of Georgia, and enacted "Georgia's Independence Act." One year after the declaration of Georgia's independence, and for the two years after 1919, the Supreme Court was presided over by Davit Kheltuplishvili, who was later executed by the Bolshevik regime.

"The profession of attorney is self-regulated, offering numerous benefits but also entailing a high responsibility to serve the client's interests with honesty and to represent those interests to the best of one's ability. Simultaneously, the attorney acts as an intermediary between state institutions and citizens, ensuring the proper protection of their rights with due diligence," - stated Mr. Asatiani.

He underscored the significance of adhering to the professional ethics rules that every attorney should uphold. Attorneys must avoid conflicts of interest and should serve their clients with the utmost expertise while safeguarding their best interests. Failure to do so will not only harm the reputation of the attorney, but also compromise the professional integrity and unity of the legal community. A key determinant of success in the profession lies in an attorney's high level of work discipline and the non-disclosure of the client's confidential information.

The First Deputy at LAS, Nino Meladze, discussed the pivotal role of attorneys in advancing the principles of the rule of law and ensuring the quality of justice. She emphasized, "Judges are the primary interpreters of the law and decision-makers, but the contribution of attorneys is indispensable in arriving at just decisions and efficient resolutions for all legal processes in accordance with the law." In addition, the efficacy of the justice system is heavily contingent on the professionalism of lawyers in preventing undue delays in court proceedings and ensuring the timely submission of written and oral arguments and evidence.

In conclusion, GBA Chairperson David Asatiani and the Rector of Akaki Tsereteli State University agreed to formalize a memorandum of understanding to support quality legal education in Kutaisi and incorporate more practical components into the universities' curriculum.