On April 27, 2015 the Council of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers of the Russian Federation announced that Dimitry Afanasiev, Member of the Partners' Committee of Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners, was awarded the Distinguished Service in Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms Medal.

This medal is awarded to individuals, organisations and lawyers' associations for their contribution to the development of the Russian legal profession or international cooperation between lawyers and for their active participation in human rights work.

In his official letter Yury Pilipenko, President of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers, noted that the decision to award this prestigious medal to Dimitry Afanasiev reflected the Council's recognition of his activities in defence of Russian citizens' human rights.

One of the goals of the Chamber is to reward the professional achievements of lawyers who demonstrate the best practice in legal excellence and commitment to corporate traditions. Such achievements include professionalism and excellence in defending clients' rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, active involvement in the defence of the legitimate interests, honour and dignity of lawyers and their social and professional rights, significant contributions to the training of young lawyers, teaching the art of law and imparting the legal profession's ethical tenets, involvement in lawyers' associations in Russia, and similar activities.

For more information please visit the Federal Chamber of Lawyers web-site.