Annotation

In 2026, we will celebrate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the State Duma of the Russian Empire, which marked an important milestone in the history of Russian parliamentarism. This article focuses on the contributions of lawyers to the formation and development of the first representative body in our country. The authors explore the role of lawyers as active agents in modernizing the legal system, protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, and participating in the development of legislative initiatives aimed at establishing democratic institutions. The activities of both metropolitan lawyers, such as S.A. Muromtsev, V.A. Maklakov, O.Ya. Ppergament, N.P. Shubinsky, F.I. Rodichev, and others, and provincial lawyers, such as P.V. Vologodsky, R.L. Weisman, and F.I. Miloshevsky, are analyzed in detail. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction of the bar community with the emerging parliament, as well as on the analysis of specific steps taken by lawyers to promote the ideas of democratic development and parliamentarism. The article is supplemented with examples of lawyers' participation in the work of the State Duma commissions, in the development of bills, and in discussions surrounding constitutional reforms.