Judicial Speeches

The father of Russian judicial rhetoric, Fyodor Plevako, is rightly considered one of the best lawyers of the Russian Empire. Thanks to his sharp mind and outstanding eloquence, Fyodor Plevako won more than two hundred cases, many of which had little chance of success for the defense. Among his clients were people of all classes — from princes to peasants. He became famous for his participation in the largest political and criminal trials of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He knew how to awaken the best feelings in the hearts of jurors and find the right words to sway their opinion in his favor. A vivid demonstration of Plevako's professionalism and oratory skills was made possible not only by the education he received at the law faculty of Moscow University but also by the judicial reform of 1864, which established the jury court and introduced new positions for jury attorneys — lawyers. It was in this field that the star of the "Moscow Golden Mouth" Fyodor Plevako rose, whose speeches — bright, logical, witty — are still used as a textbook for students of law schools and remain an important part of Russia's humanitarian heritage.