White & Case, PILnet and Tashkent State University of Law host Legal Ethics Workshop in Tashkent
Global law firm White & Case LLP, in collaboration with PILnet and Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL), successfully concluded a four-day legal ethics workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 13 to 16, 2025. The program brought together more than 40 top law students from five countries in the region for immersive training on the practical application of legal ethics in a cross-border context.
The Central Asia Legal Ethics Workshop aimed to strengthen students' understanding of professional responsibility and ethical lawyering through interactive sessions focused on realistic hypothetical legal challenges. Topics include regulation of the legal profession, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, client engagement, professional independence, anti-corruption, evolving law on business and human rights, and pro bono. The course was led by a diverse faculty of practicing lawyers, legal academics, and ethics experts from Central Asia, Europe and the United States.
"At White & Case, we believe that legal ethics is not just an obligatory course—it's a commitment to building trust in the profession, protecting the rule of law and serving clients with integrity," said Jennifer Paradise, partner and General Counsel. "We designed the curriculum to incorporate real-world scenarios so that students can apply their training to manage complex ethical situations that they will face throughout their careers."
The program opened with remarks from Carolyn Lamm, Washington, DC partner at White & Case; Esemurat Kanyazov, Director of the Legal Training Center under the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan; and Islambek Rustambekov, Acting Rector of TSUL.
Islambek Rustambekov, Acting Rector of TSUL, noted: "This workshop provided a unique opportunity for our students and their peers in the region to engage directly with international experts. Strengthening legal ethics is essential to the development of an independent and principled legal profession in Uzbekistan and beyond."
The workshop emphasized applied learning over theory. Sessions included mock exercises, case discussions and even an "Ethics in the Movies" segment, which used actual movie clips to illustrate legal issues. Throughout, students were encouraged to work through difficult questions they will face in their careers, from managing client confidentiality to navigating complex legal transactions with ethical integrity.
The final day featured a dynamic panel on in-house perspectives on legal and business ethics, followed by a session on pro bono and responsible business.
In addition to Jennifer and Carolyn, others from White & Case included London partner Clare Connellan, Uzbekistan partner Kamilla Azamat, and Director of Responsible Business Elizabeth Black. Additional faculty include Diana Bayzakova, Director of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre; Timur Ibadullaev, Head of the Legal Department of "Uzkimyosanoat" JSC; Igor Ostapets, Partner at Asari Legal and retired White & Case partner; Nazira Raimzhanova, Deputy Director of the Training Center of Advocates under the Bar Association of Kyrgyzstan; Daria Selivanova, Counsel at Habib Al Mulla & Partners; Shakhzoda Tuychieva, Lecturer at TSUL; Shukhrat Yunusov, Partner at Kosta Legal; Salimjon Yusupov, Managing Associate at KY & Partners; and Iraida Zakharevich, Eurasia Program Officer at PILnet.
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