How the lawyer Plevako conquered the halls of Moscow courts and went down in history

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

There was no person in the history of the Russian legal profession more popular than Fyodor Nikiforovich Plevako. During his lifetime, he was revered by jurists and ordinary people and is still appreciated as a "great orator", "a genius of the word" and even a "metropolitan of the legal profession". His name has become a household name in Russia, denoting the highest level of professionalism. "I'll look for another" Gobber ", - without the slightest irony they talked about the search for the best lawyer. Letters to Plevako were simply signed: “Moscow. Fedor Nikiforovich Plevako ".

The legend of the birth of Plevako and career takeoff

Fyodor Plevako was the illegitimate son of Vasily Plevak and Ekaterina Stepanova, who were not officially married. According to one of the legends, after the birth of Fedor, the mother wanted to commit suicide, but the boy shouted so loudly that she came to her senses. The patronymic for the child was taken by the name of the godfather of one of the brothers Fedor. And after receiving his education, he himself added the letter "o" to his father's surname at the end. The young man studied at the Commercial School, showing a special talent in mathematics and being the face of the "golden board". Despite the great success in education, Plevako was expelled from the educational institution as an illegitimate child. However, through the efforts of his father, he was admitted to the gymnasium on Moscow's Prechistenka.

Other Russian figures who later became famous also studied in the same place. After graduating from the Faculty of Law of the University, Fedor joined the ranks of a candidate for Moscow judicial positions. And in 1870, Plevako became a jury attorney of the city court chamber, which sharply raised his financial status. In a short time, he became the owner of a house in Bolshoy Afanasyevsky Lane, and soon became known as one of the most famous lawyers in Moscow. Plevako helped the poor free of charge, sometimes even reimbursing the considerable expenses of insolvent clients.

The general popularity and opinion of Chekhov

Plevako's name quickly became famous even though he lost his first case. His opening court speech was masterfully constructed, revealing an unprecedented oratorical talent. His manner was not harsh and assertive, on the contrary, Plevako's speech was filled with completely justified statements and a moderate tone, captivating not only listeners ignorant of law, but also experienced connoisseurs.

Many reputable celebrities spoke about the activities of Plevako during his lifetime. One of these was Anton Chekhov. Discussing the power of the lawyer's word and innate talent, the writer noted his unique "handwriting". Standing at the music stand, Plevako stared at the jury for several seconds and only then began to speak. His speech, according to Chekhov, flowed smoothly, confidently, softly and sincerely. She abounded in figurative phrases, good thoughts and a host of other amenities. A well-defined diction penetrated the souls, and a natural fire burned in his eyes. Plevako could talk for hours, and they listened to him without interrupting, without a hint of boredom.

High-profile lawyer cases and specialization

The entire history of Plevako's law practice was formed in Moscow, which influenced the style of speeches. In judicial texts, the most vivid images found a place for him: the bell ringing of Orthodox churches, and the mood of the local population, and the rich urban past. There was a place in his speeches even for excerpts from Holy Scripture and the wisdom of the holy fathers. Plevako's brilliant oratorical originality was fully manifested in his very first deeds. In the process of Abbess Mitrofania, who was accused by Moscow judges of fraud, falsification and seizure of other people's property, Plevako acted as a civil plaintiff, talentedly exposing the hypocritical criminal inclinations of the bearers of monastic robes.

He often spoke out in the cases of factory troubles that were topical at that time, boldly and openly defending the workers who resisted the authorities. He successfully evoked compassion among those present for disadvantaged people, opening the eyes of the audience to the cruel realities. Plevako has repeatedly been able to convince the judiciary that workers exhausted by physical labor are deprived of spirituality for objective reasons, and that they cannot be measured by the same yardstick with the minions of fate, brought up from birth in the concepts of high morality and at the same time in full material prosperity.

In his judicial messages, Plevako did not resort to excesses, argued with his characteristic tact and invariably demanded from rivals an equal fight with equal weapons. A master improviser with powerful inner strength, Plevako delivered hundreds of high-profile speeches. His main difference from other speakers was that he knew how to influence the deepest emotions and felt the jury, often causing them to cry, laugh or irony in the courtroom.

Refusal to protect Sonya - golden pen and personal life

Plevako did not always insist on the absolute innocence of his clients. Once, speaking on the case of Aleksandra Maksimenko, accused of poisoning her husband, he bluntly stated that he was not sure of her sinlessness. But at the same time, he noticed that he could not assert her absolute guilt, preferring only to choose in favor of life, when there was a choice between life and death. At the same time, lawyer Plevako did not mess with knowingly wrong deeds. The fact of his refusal to protect the notorious swindler Sophia Bluestein, known as Sonya - the golden pen, became loud.

Plevako lived quite richly. He was the owner of a group of apartment buildings, one of which, built by the order of a lawyer by the famous architect Mikini, was called “Plevako's house”. This building has retained its external appearance and interior furnishings, having received a conservation status in 2018. Fedor Nikiforovich lived for 66 years, died in Moscow. He was buried in the presence of a huge number of people of all levels and classes in the cemetery in the Sorrow Monastery. In 1929, the authorities decided to close the monastery cemetery. The remains of Fyodor Plevako, at the initiative of his relatives, were reburied at the Vagankovsky cemetery. Since that time, only a simple oak cross has been on the grave of the famous Russian lawyer. In 2003, a bas-relief with a portrait of the legendary Plevako was made with donations from eminent Russian representatives of the legal profession.

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