Lithuanian bar association re-elects Kukaitis as chairman for second term

The Lithuanian Bar Association has re-elected Mindaugas Kukaitis as its chairman for another four-year term, state news agency ELTA reports.

Kukaitis secured 1,418 votes out of 1,594 cast by lawyers in the election—the highest number ever recorded in a general assembly vote for the association’s leadership. In his acceptance remarks, he thanked the legal community for their trust and pledged to continue defending lawyers’ professional independence.

“An advocate must remain free and independent to serve as a defender for every individual,” Kukaitis stated.

The general assembly also elected a new 10-member Bar Council for 2026–2030, including Dalia Foigt-Norvaišienė, Raimundas Lideika, and Jurgita Judickienė among others. Three new members—Tomas Bagdanskis, Remigijus Merkevičius, and Valdemaras Bužinskas—were appointed to the Honorary Court, which oversees professional conduct.

Lawyer Karolis Rugys received the newly established Gynėjas (Defender) statuette for his role in a landmark constitutional court case that expanded compensation rights for acquitted individuals. The award, designed by artist Tadas Gutauskas, recognizes contributions to human rights defense.