In Užupis, a favorite of Vilnius residents and guests, on March 5, the Lithuanian Bar Association opened its doors – the modern Bar Association, and in the space next to the building, a sculpture by artist Tadas Gutauskas “Defender”, reflecting the profession of a lawyer, was unveiled. The event, marking a new stage in the history of the Lithuanian Bar Association, was attended by a large group of lawyers and their assistants, lawyers from other institutions and organizations, residents of the Republic of Užupis and representatives of the arts..
“The Bar Association is the harmony of our community. Everyone will find a piece of themselves or their own identity here. One of you who comes here will see water, another fire, another metal, or maybe even stone. Only in harmony can the community achieve much. The Bar Association is a shield and support for every lawyer, and a lawyer is support and help for every person. Only with such a mission can we talk about our profession,” said Mindaugas Kukaitis, Chairman of the Bar Council.
At the event, Mindaugas Kukaitis, Chairman of the Bar Council, thanked all lawyers and their assistants who contributed not only to the construction of this new modern building, but also for believing in this idea of establishing their own home – the Bar Association.
Ramūnas Audzevičius, partner of the Motieka & Audzevičius Law Firm, which is the patron of the sculpture “Defender”, thanked the legal community for their partnership in implementing this project and for the path they have taken together.
The Bar Association was established not only in Vilnius, but also in the Republic of Užupis, which has a different jurisdiction. The President of this republic, Romas Lileikis, while congratulating the Lithuanian Bar community, presented not only the Constitution of the Republic of Užupis, but also figuratively paraphrased the words of Jonas Mekas and said “The Bar Association in Užupis, I am FOR”.
Artist Tadas Gutauskas, the creator of the sculpture “Defender”, said at the unveiling of the new sculpture near the Bar Association that “the very profession of a lawyer is very responsible and serious, because it is associated with the fate of a person. A sculpture that defends the profession must have magical powers, therefore, in this work of art, such powers have been given to the tongue, which represents the eloquence of a lawyer, the ability to change people’s lives”. Therefore, everyone who comes to the sculpture and strokes the Defender’s tongue will take on the powers of the Defender, – added Mindaugas Kukaitis, Chairman of the Bar Council.
The festive evening of the opening of the Bar Association and the unveiling of the “Defender” sculpture was complemented by a special cultural program on Polocko Street. Those gathered heard a musical composition created by composer Kipras Mašanauskas and percussionist Arkadijus Gotesmans.
About the Law Firm
The consolidation of the functions of an advocate was codified in the first Statute of Lithuania, and the Lithuanian Bar Association, as an organization uniting advocates, traces its roots back to 1918, forming together with the independent state. Although the Council of Sworn Advocates began its activities in 1920, the idea of its own house has only been fully realized now.
This project is an exceptional example of community spirit. The building at Polocko St. 43C, with an area of more than 580 sq. m, was purchased for 1.45 million euros and substantially renovated. It is important to note that the funds were raised exclusively by the Lithuanian Bar Association itself, donations from 210 lawyers and their assistants and law firms, as well as borrowed resources. The reconstruction of the building was taken care of by architect Tomas Lapė and his team. The real estate project management company EIKA Development carried out design and construction management and technical maintenance work in the new building of the Lithuanian Bar Association. The premises underwent facade renovation work, complete interior renovation, modern engineering systems and everything else that is necessary.
The renovated premises feature modern spaces adapted to the modern needs of legal services:
- Space for organizing seminars and conferences, and later it is planned to organize bar exams here;
- Lawyer’s room for lawyers from other cities for remote court hearings or meetings with clients;
- Spaces for the Bar Association’s self-government – the Bar Council, the Court of Honor and committees will have their own separate conference and meeting rooms. The administration of the Lithuanian Bar Association is also located there.
The real estate project management company EIKA Development concluded its participation in the creation of the Lawyers’ House with the following words: “Our goal was to both visually renew the building and adapt it to the needs of modern life and work, to implement modern solutions that would allow members of the Lithuanian legal community to work smoothly and comfortably and, also very importantly, to simply feel good while being there. Now that the work is complete, we are happy with the results achieved and can’t wait for the people who will work in this building every day to be able to evaluate them,” says Martynas Žibūda, head of EIKA Development.
Text and photo by the Lithuanian Bar Association.