Russia is perhaps unique among Big Law markets in that it is almost completely unregulated. While there is a Russian bar and a form of licensed attorneys—the advokatura—there is no requirement for lawyers to be registered in order to practice, other than to litigate in court on criminal disputes.

The overwhelming majority of attorneys at international firms in Russia are not licensed advokats, instead effectively operating as legal consultants. But could this long-established status quo be under threat?

The Russian Ministry of Justice has been seeking to reform the country's justice system—including its legal profession—for more than a decade. The efforts are primarily intended to improve the quality of legal services at the consumer end of the market, but the changes could have dramatic consequences for international firms in the country.