Our team
Vakhtang Shanava
Managing Partner
Education
Tbilisi State University
• Master of laws
• Bachelor of laws
Experience
Bank of Georgia
• Deputy Head of Legal Department
• Group Head/Senior lawyer
• Lawyer
• Lawyer-administrator
• Legal administrative officer
Languages
• Georgian
• English
• Russian
Membership
• Georgian Bar association
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Ever since I remember, I wanted to be a lawyer. Throughout my childhood, when wandering around the valleys of the Enguri River, I had quite an idealized perception of the legal profession. For me, it was associated with the acts of heroism, defending people and fighting for justice. Not much has changed since then. Even now, when I am asked what I would have become if not a lawyer – It is still quite hard for me to answer the question.
After graduating from law school, I started working in one of the leading financial institutions in Georgia, where I held five different positions for ten years. I am very proud that I have held nearly every legal position at the bank and thus have gained priceless experience. I strongly believe that the keenness to develop and always eagerness to study has contributed to my success as well as the devotion to my work. I know that general interest and curiosity are the crucial characteristics never to stop exploring and always moving forward.
While working as the Group Head and Deputy head of the Legal Department, I learned that games can be won with individual talent and hard work, but championships are won by teams. I also realized that there is no good in any success if it does not result in benefiting the people. One more thing that I have discovered is that managing your inner ego and self-awareness is a big deal. If we become more honest with ourselves and ask: are our behaviors and decisions really for a good reason, then the world will become a better place to live. How can I compare these valuable discoveries with the professional experience gained while holding managerial positions?…
I do not quite remember when or where, but throughout my journey, I learned that if you do something, you have to do it best. Now we are creating Lawyal, with thousand ideas and desire to do good and we are sure we will succeed in it, because if the motivational speakers and management gurus that I have listened to for many years are not mistaken when you really want to do something, you will find a way.
Nice to meet you
Eka Tughushi
Managing Partner
Education
Georgian University
• Master of laws
Caucasus University, Caucasus School of Law
• Bachelor of laws
Experience
Bank of Georgia
• Deputy Head of Legal Department
• Head of Unit/Principal lawyer
• Lawyer
• Legal administrative officer
Languages
• Georgian
• English
• Russian
Membership
• Georgian Bar association
________________________________
Everyone says that I was the kind of kid who always had her perspective and was never afraid to defend it. I think that is why it was not a surprise when I decided to become a lawyer. I strongly believe that every point of view matters and should be protected in the scope of the law. To me, a lawyer is a person who listens to everyone, helps them formulate their position clearly and precisely and when needed, defends them, stands next to any initiative, new idea and protects them from future threats.
Soon after I finished the university, I started legal practice and entered the legal industry as a legal-administrative officer at one of Georgia’s biggest financial institutions. Despite that it was the beginning of my career, I believe it was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. This was when I had the opportunity to be on the front line of business. Every day, I met with the bank’s biggest clients, who also happened to be Georgia’s biggest companies, discussing what was best for their businesses or new initiatives and contributing to their success. This experience helped me understand business needs, what they expect when receiving the services, how important is it to have a team, giving you qualified recommendations and the opportunity to not waste time thinking on the issue that is not your “strength.”
Since the first steps in the legal industry, I have gained 10+ years of experience and have participated in various complex and interesting projects. This is why the legal profession is so interesting for me, while working on project, you can at the same time be the “legislator” – defining the regulation differently, in “your way,” “writer” – believe me drafting agreements requires artistic writing skills too, “psychologist” – hearing from your client what has not been said, “translator” – translating ambiguous and incomprehensible legal terminology into plain language and “mediator” – between your client and another party. Therefore, I am always quite surprised when someone says that the legal profession is boring, how can you be bored when you can be “part of so many professions”.
Every project has taught me a simple rule throughout my career – you can be only as good as the people you work with. I found out that not a single project or plan can be successful if not every participant is also successful. That is why I know exactly that my success is depended on the client’s success and my contribution to it is equally essential for me as it is for the client.
Now we are creating Lawyal in this spirit, standing next to any idea or initiative, supporting you in any relation, finding the creative and non-standard solutions and just making possible what seemed to be impossible.
Nice to meet you