10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer in Moscow

If you live in California and need legal help in Moscow, ask the candidate for a registry number, a clear description of the cases they handle, a written fee agreement and a plan for staying in touch across an eleven-hour time gap. These four points screen out most problems before you pay anything.

This checklist was prepared by attorney Elena Petrova for clients abroad. Use it with any lawyer you consider, including us.

Confirming Advocate Status in the Registry

Russia has two kinds of legal professionals. An advocate holds a status granted by a regional bar chamber and is listed in an official register. A general "legal consultant" needs no licence at all. Only an advocate can act as defence counsel in a criminal case, and only an advocate is bound by statutory privilege and a code of professional ethics.

Ask for the registry number and check it yourself. Moscow numbers start with 77, followed by the lawyer's personal number. The listing should show the status as active and name the bar formation where the lawyer practises.

Matching Specialization to Your Dispute

A lawyer who handles inheritance cases may know little about arbitrazh litigation between companies. Ask directly which courts the lawyer appears in: courts of general jurisdiction, arbitrazh courts, or criminal courts at the investigation stage.

Then ask how your matter fits that practice. A precise answer names the likely court, the governing code and the first procedural step. A vague promise to "handle everything" is a warning sign.

Asking About Relevant Experience

You are entitled to ask how many similar matters the lawyer has handled and what problems usually arise in them. An ethical advocate will describe typical risks without quoting guaranteed outcomes. Russian bar rules forbid promising a result, so treat any "we will win" as a reason to walk away.

Court records are public. You can search the lawyer's name on sudrf.ru or kad.arbitr.ru to see whether they actually appear in hearings.

Fees and the Written Agreement

Under the federal law on advocacy, an advocate works only under a written agreement. It must state the scope of work, the fee, how it is paid and how expenses are reimbursed. Payment goes to the account or cash office of the bar formation, and you receive a receipt.

Fee model	How it works	What to clarify
Fixed fee per stage	One sum for a defined step	What counts as the end of the stage
Hourly rate	Time is billed from records	Monthly cap and reporting format
Success component	Extra sum tied to the outcome	Not allowed in criminal cases
Expenses	Court fees, notaries, translations	Whether advance approval is needed

Communication Across Time Zones

Ask who will write to you, in which language and how quickly. Agree on a weekly update format and on what counts as urgent. Hearings in Moscow often start in the morning, which is late evening in California, so decide in advance whether the lawyer may act without reaching you.

Confirm how documents will travel. Originals signed abroad usually need an apostille and a certified Russian translation.

The Complete List of Ten Questions

What is your registry number and which bar chamber holds it?
In which courts do you regularly appear?
How many matters like mine have you handled?
What is the first procedural step in my case?
What are the main risks and the realistic timeline?
How is the fee calculated and what does each stage include?
Which expenses will I pay separately?
Who will actually work on my file?
How and how often will you report to me?
What power of attorney do you need and how do I issue it from the USA?

Starting Work With Attorney Petrova

Send a short description of the matter and copies of the key documents. You will receive an initial view of the procedure and a draft agreement before any payment.

The main channel of communication with the attorney is email: attorneypetrova1@gmail.com.