The USAID Rule of Law Program supports initiatives that strengthen the awareness of legal ethics and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the legal sector. Twenty carefully selected law students from various regional universities in Adjara, Imereti, Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Kakheti successfully completed the Legal Ethics Summer School 2023, held by New Vision University with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program.

Held from July 25 to August 2, this 10-day educational program immersed the participants in a diverse range of topics, including legal ethics, legal writing and reasoning, trial advocacy, and negotiation skills. The students learned from practitioners and professors, engaged in insightful discussions, participated in mock trials, and practiced varied legal exercises.

"It is truly inspiring to see so many students from regional universities participating in this USAID-supported summer school. I am confident that the values taught during this school program, with its interactive lectures and engaging discussions, will guide the participants to become ethical leaders and positive agents of change in their communities." – said Neil Weinstein, Deputy Chief of Party at the USAID Rule of Law Program.

Nino Kontselidze from Batumi State University praised the school for the meetings with practicing lawyers and members of the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) Ethics Commission. “The insights shared by these professionals enriched our understanding of legal ethics. The program included both lectures on topics such as lawyers' ethics and the role of mediators and attorneys in mediations, as well as discussions and practical exercises, offering a well-rounded learning experience. I encourage other students to seize such opportunities to enhance their theoretical knowledge and develop practical skills.” – she said.

"For me, as a future lawyer, legal ethics is the main value and the starting point through which I should carry out each stage of my professional activity. The school played a key role in my achieving this goal, since it was through this school that I was able to study legal ethics extensively, clearly analyzing how important professional ethics are for a lawyer. This school gave me something without which the life of a lawyer is unthinkable - the ability to systematically analyze ethical obligations.” – said Ia Gorgadze, third year student of the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Faculty of Law.