Integrity in the professional activity of a lawyer

Based on the analysis of legal acts that regulate the processes of professional selection of personnel in the legal field, as well as modern scientific works, the professional integrity of a lawyer as an ethical and legal category was investigated. A theoretical and legal analysis of the concept of “integrity” is carried out in the article. The meaning and essence of the concept of professional integrity of a lawyer is clarified. It is noted that under the professional integrity of a lawyer it is proposed to understand such behavior, which consists in the formation of an independent and responsible position of a specialist, whois able, due to his professional skill, to apply knowledge in practice, to ensure the provision of high-quality legal services and to obtain significant legal results from the implementation of professional activities by affirming the rule of law, legality, honesty, justice, good faith, conscientiousness, etc.The key attributes of the professional integrity of a lawyer as a legal category are identified. They include: legal behavior (actions or inaction) of a specialist; subjects (representatives of various legal professions); norms and principles that determine the pattern of correct behavior; professional competence; methods of professional activity implementation; end result.Recommendations for improving the normative basis for the professional activity of lawyers have been formulated. In particular, it is necessary to determine the objects (results) of activity that should be controlled and to which the normativerequirements of professional integrity apply, to specify the conditions for compliance with professional integrity, to improve the mechanism of liability for intentional non-observance of ethical legal principles and rules.It is emphasized that for the guaranteed implementation of the principle of integrity in the professional activity of a lawyer and certain legal specialties (judge, lawyer, notary, prosecutor, legal adviser, etc.), it is necessary to ensure legal regulation of professional integrity both at the state and local levels. Integrity in a lawyer’s professional activity is an essential factor in ensuring trust in a specialist, which is the key to any successful cooperation. It is the trust in a lawyer that is the main indicator of his effective activity.