Human Rights Lawyers Navigating Authoritarian Legalism in Iran

Abstract: The growing literature on cause lawyering in authoritarian regimes highlights how lawyers develop strategies to challenge state power. However, little is known about the practice of human rights lawyers in Iran, who operate under an authoritarian legalism designed to suppress dissent. This study addresses that gap by exploring the everyday experiences of human rights lawyers in Iran and the strategies they adopt to navigate a highly repressive legal system. Drawing on in-depth interviews with eight lawyers, the study reveals how lawyers combine civic professionalism with aspects of moral activism. These lawyers employ strategies such as symbolic resistance, pragmatic resistance, and tactical compliance to confront judicial bias and restrictive legal provisions. The study also highlights the gender-specific challenges female lawyers face in the Revolutionary Court, where strict dress codes function as tools of control. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how legal professionals in authoritarian contexts balance resistance with survival.