The Psychology of Advocacy Work

Advocacy work is one of the most complicated activity rom the standpoint of psychology of legal profession distinguished by a variety of professional tasks and their considerable intellectual and emotional intensity. The article is devoted to the research of psychological characteristics of the advocacy work with an emphasis on the practicing lawyers as well as on overcoming crisis psycho-emotional situations at work. The authors conducted an anonymous survey among legal advisers of several regions of the Russian Federation to identify the most stressful aspects of their work as well as an anonymous survey among the heads of legal practices that demonstrates their awareness about psycho-emotional state of their subordinates. Data from foreign and local studies of certain aspects of advocacy work were analysed. The authors make a conclusion about psycho emotional aspects of advocacy work and lawyers qualities supporting more productive activity. The practical recommendations that minimise work stress level is developed and articulated.