The article is devoted to the least known period in the life of M.Robespierre, when he pursued a career in law. His first lawsuits, his first literary experiments, the acknowledgment of friends and colleagues, all this led him to the ranks of the citizens of the Republic of Letters and allowed him to acquire skills that were essential for his career as a politician. The author focuses on Robespierre's transformation from the advocate of «unfortunate» to the defender of «people». The article is based on a little-known documents composed by Robespierre in the 1780s.