Interview with Georgian lawyers Mariam Chkonia and Lasha Janibegashvili from the Georgian law firm Advocatory
The husband-and-wife legal team, Mariam Chkonia and Lasha Janibegashvili, is synonymous with high-profile litigation. Their practice is defined by effective strategies in complex legal disputes, professional courage, and an exceptional capacity for rapid response. Despite spending time abroad, their professional activities in Georgia continue to generate significant interest and positive acclaim. We present an exclusive interview with the tandem:
How would you describe each other’s strengths?
Lasha Janibegashvili: Mariam has been practicing in this field for 11 years, having started at the age of 19. Her greatest strengths are her depth of analysis and her high level of professional training in criminal law. Holding a Master of Laws (LL.M.), she maintains a rigorous focus on detail. This enables her to select precise legal strategies that consistently deliver the desired results for our clients.
As for myself, I have practiced law for 18 years. I have developed a professional skill set and working style inspired by American trial lawyers. This approach operates on a large scale and has earned significant recognition within Georgian society.
What drives you personally to keep pushing in such a demanding profession?
Lasha Janibegashvili: A defining moment for me was the case against the Parliament of Georgia from 2019 to 2022. I consider it the “case of the century,” as a single lawyer challenged the national status quo by advocating for the establishment of multiple bar associations in line with European and American standards. This effort brought a monolithic association of 10,000 lawyers to the brink of decentralization.
While constitutional claims 1424 and 1490 were merged and advanced to a substantive hearing, the authorities likely used their influence to obstruct the finalization of the case. This resulted in unlawful pressure against me by the Bar Association. Notably, it was the leadership, not my clients, who opposed me, which raises serious questions about the institution. Under different leadership, such as Irakli Kandashvili, I believe diplomacy and fairness would have prevented such a conflict.
On a personal level, the public support has been extraordinary. People often ask for photos on the street, and even police officers have requested selfies, mentioning that their children are “fans” of our work. I recall once leaving my phone at a police station. By the time I reached my car, people stuck in traffic were waving and calling us by name. This motivates me to bring our methods to international markets, where we can operate effectively and securely in a multi-million-dollar environment alongside our partners.
What types of cases do you handle most often, and which areas interest you most?
Our practice spans several key areas, representing both private individuals and business interests. Most frequently, we handle civil and property disputes involving asset protection, financial litigation, and contract law. Commercial law and business disputes also constitute a significant portion of our work.
Additionally, we maintain a strong criminal law practice that requires robust defensive strategies. We also work on human rights cases, including applications to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
We are particularly drawn to precedent-setting cases. For example, we successfully restored the functional status of a high-value land plot in Kojori that had been incorrectly designated as a recreational zone. We achieved this in just 28 days without litigation, increasing the property’s value by hundreds of thousands of dollars. We find every case engaging, provided it does not involve the oppression of the innocent.
What kind of reputation do you want to have in the future?
Lawyers’ names often fade over time, but we want to be remembered for what we fought for and at what cost. We aim for our names to be associated not only with recognition, but also with the highest professional standards, integrity, and the successful management of complex cases. Expanding our international presence is also a priority, ensuring our practice inspires trust both within Georgia and abroad.
Have you ever had a disagreement on strategy? How do you resolve it?
Yes, differing views are natural in a professional partnership, particularly in complex disputes. We reach decisions through a thorough exchange of arguments and a detailed assessment of facts, evidence, risks, and potential outcomes. Ultimately, we adopt the strategy that best serves the client’s interests.
What has been the most unpredictable situation you’ve handled?
There have been many. At times, a minor professional conflict can rapidly escalate into a serious legal crisis. In such moments, experience and rapid response become decisive.
For example, in the “accountant episode” featured in our Entrepreneur Georgia interview, a difficult situation was turned in the client’s favor through swift legal action. The Kojori land dispute is another example. Rather than waiting for a standard administrative response, I bypassed bureaucracy and contacted the municipality’s lawyers directly, presenting a clear legal ultimatum. Combined with our social media reach of 200,000 followers, which allows us to elevate issues to public resonance, the case was resolved in a record-breaking 28 days.
How do you assess a case’s real potential beyond what a client initially presents?
We have taken cases where the initial chance of success was estimated at only 3 percent and turned them into victories. We have even “resurrected” cases that were considered twice dead.
A case’s potential is never judged by emotional descriptions. We analyze the documentary chronology, the “architecture of evidence,” the legal grounds, and the opponent’s risk profile. While clients often see only the problem due to emotional involvement, we must identify the opportunity hidden within it.
What has experience taught you that no formal education could?
Experience has taught us that there are no hopeless situations, only a lack of the right professionals. Formal education provides theory, but practice teaches you how to read people and systems. High-stakes litigation resembles a game of chess, where every move must be calculated in advance. Operating from abroad, free from local pressures, makes this “chess game” significantly more manageable.
How do you adapt when a case suddenly changes direction?
Our model is based on rapid analysis and flexibility. When circumstances shift, we immediately identify what has changed, which risks have increased, and how to protect the client’s position with minimal loss. This ability to adapt operationally is a hallmark of a high-class attorney.
What is one lesson you learned the hard way?
Never evaluate a case solely by its legal text. It is essential to understand real-world context, human motivations, and the full map of the opponent’s interests. We have also learned that excessive optimism is a professional error if it is not supported by evidence.
Is success in your field more about skill or mindset?
Lasha Janibegashvili: It is a combination of both. Our record includes numerous celebrated victories. On social media, my posts often exceed one million views. Since traditional media frequently omits critical case details, we created our own platform, advocatory.ge, to communicate directly with our audience.
How do you view competition?
Competition is a catalyst for quality. A strong legal market develops when professionals push one another to be better prepared and more effective. Ultimately, the public determines the leaders based on results and reputation. With over 100,000 followers, we maintain one of the largest audiences in Georgia.
Is taking risks essential for standout results?
Unjustified risk is unprofessional, however, calculated and strategic risk is often necessary. Standout results are rarely achieved through standard, inertial approaches. When the “classic” path promises only years of delay, a strategy must compel the opponent to recognize their own legal risks.
Do you believe the system rewards those who push boundaries?
When you challenge the system, the system eventually challenges you in return. Despite effectively protecting my clients, I faced a treacherous campaign from the Bar Association, supported by a system that resists independent lawyers who fight uncompromisingly for the public. This ultimately forced me to leave the country.
However, this will likely damage the Association’s reputation and international standing. Since becoming an independent firm head abroad, I have handled multi-million-dollar property disputes. In the past month alone, I have influenced two major cases and am currently working on a third unprecedented matter with my partners. We expect a favorable outcome there as well.
What defines real professional integrity today?
Mariam Chkonia and Lasha Janibegashvili define integrity as a foundation built on trust, personal responsibility, realistic assessment, and unwavering professional independence.
More information about their legal work can be found at: advocatory.ge
