Irina Podnosova

Irina Leonidovna Podnosova (Ирина Леонидовна Подносова; (Лунева), born 29 October 1953) is a Russian lawyer serving as the Chief Justice of Russia since 17 April 2024, being the first female to hold the office since its establishment in 1923.

Before being appointed as Chief Justice, Podnosova headed the Judicial Chamber for Commercial Disputes of the Supreme Court of Russian Federation from 2020 to 2024, the Second Cassation Ordinary Court from 2018 to 2020, and the Leningrad Oblast Court from 2017 to 2018.

She started her judicial career in 1990, when she became a judge of the town court of Luga, a town in Leningrad Oblast, 140 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. In 2003, she headed the Luga Town Court.

With the death of the long-time Chief Justice Vyacheslav Lebedev, who presided over the Supreme Court from 1989 until his death on 23 February 2024, Podnosova was the only candidate for the vacant office. The Higher Judges' Qualifications Board recommended to appoint Podnosova by a solid vote. On 17 April 2024, Irina Podnosova was appointed Chief Justice by the Federation Council after being nominated by the President of Russia.

Podnosova was Vladimir Putin's coursemate at the Faculty of Law of Leningrad State University.

Awards

 * Order of Honour (2022)
 * Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Honour (2023)