The purpose of the article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the problematic aspects of a lawyer’s evidence collection in criminal proceedings. On this basis, the regulatory framework of his activities is studied, in particular, the provisions of criminal procedural legislation and the Law of Ukraine “On the Bar and Legal Activities”. It is substantiated that, despite the formal consolidation of the broad powers of a lawyer, their practical implementation is complicated by procedural limitations, reliance on the discretionary decisions of other subjects, and the need to further proceduralize the collected information. Special attention is paid to the use of digital evidence and OSINT technologies, which expand the capabilities of the defense but also raise questions about their admissibility and standardization. It is proven that the effectiveness of a lawyer’s evidentiary activities is determined not only by the scope of the rights granted but also by the correctness of the choice of procedural tactics and the timeliness of the implementation of the evidentiary initiative.