“In the conditions of information wars and high polarization of society, the manipulative reception of the lawyer with his client becomes especially relevant. About it writes lawyer Dmitry Buzanov in his column on Glavk. According to Buzanov, identification is an imposition of the idea that the lawyer shares the crimes or views of the client he defends. “In the mass consciousness, a simple principle is often ignored:”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
In the conditions of information wars and high polarization of society, the manipulative reception of the lawyer with his client becomes especially relevant.
About it writes lawyer Dmitry Buzanov in his column on Glavcom .
According to Buzanov, identification is an imposition of the idea that the lawyer shares the crimes or views of the client he defends.
“The mass consciousness often ignores a simple principle: a lawyer is a legal representative, not a moral guarantor of the client,” he emphasizes. This approach discredits not only a specific defender, but also a system of justice itself.
Buzanov explains that the identification is based on classical logical faults – “wine by association” and ad hominm.
“Instead of discussion, they are essentially transferred to a lawyer. If the client is bad – the lawyer is also “bad”, so his arguments should not be listened to, “the lawyer writes.
Ad Hominem, he said, is manifested in direct images, hints of bias, or even comparisons with totalitarian figures: “Protects the accused in the state community – if he defended Hitler.” The purpose is not to analyze the evidence, but to demoralize the lawyer and undermine confidence in justice.
In public processes, especially for politicians or accused of corruption, identification is often used for information attacks. According to the lawyer, it distorts the perception of lawsuits, makes lawyers abandon cases and gives the impression that the entire lawying is “mixed” in corruption or betrayal.
Dmitry Buzanov reminds that on July 16, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law No. 4547-IX (Law No. 12320), which introduces administrative responsibility for the public identification of the lawyer with the client. The fine will be from 10 200 to 13 600 UAH, and for repeated violation – up to 13 600 UAH.
“It is an attempt to stop the practice when lawyers are branded because of their clients,” the author notes.
At the same time, some journalists and public organizations criticize the innovation, seeing it a “threat to freedom of speech” and the risk of “cooling effect” for the media.
According to Buzanov, lawyers should be in public:
- emphasize that their activity is the performance of the functions of justice, not the approval of the client;
- to name things by their names: “This is the Association and Ad Hominem, they are not relevant to facts”;
- To remind that the protection of an unpopular client guarantees the rights to all citizens.
“The identification of a lawyer with a client is an old but effective trick that distracts from the essence of the case. Awareness of this mechanism allows you to neutralize the manipulation and protect the rule of law, ”the lawyer sums up.
