Baron Boris Vladimirovich Shturmer was a Russian lawyer, a Master of Ceremonies at the Russian Court, and a district governor. He became a member of the Russian Assembly and served as prime minister in 1916. A confidant of the Empress Alexandra, under his administration the country suffered drastic inflation and a transportation breakdown, which led to severe food shortages. Stürmer simply let matters drift until he was able to be relieved of this post. He was during the course of his career Minister of Internal Affairs and Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire.

The Faculty of Law at Saint Petersburg State University is the oldest law school and one of the biggest research centers in Russia.