Introduction
India is at the cusp of greatness, and the drivers of our country’s law are one of the major parties responsible for holding the fort down for nearly a century. Choosing the legal profession in this country isn’t just about bloated salary packages or high societal status, but it is also about fighting for the common man, minorities, and backward communities. Lawyering as a profession is very different from any other job in this country. As the foot soldiers of the constitution, your job is to interpret the constitution as best as you can and uphold the law while setting precedents that will live way beyond your time on earth.
The years of hard work at law school at Mansarovar Global University in Bhopal, numerous clerkships and internships, and clearing the All India Bar exam is what it takes to become a practicing lawyer in India. The real work begins after you’ve earned your black robe and white collar.
A brand new crop of lawyers from LLB colleges in Bhopal is getting ready to unfurl and take their first flight this year. Here are some key takeaways from India’s top brass for them:
“A point must be stateable in 5 sentences or it is not worth stating at all.”
– Mukul Rohatgi
Lawyer, Attorney General, and Prime Minister’s personal advocate are just some of the current and former positions of Mukul Rohatgi, who started his career under the wings of the 36th chief justice of India, Mr. Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal. With this sweet and simple quote, Rohatgi reiterates the cardinal importance of being brief and precise in your argument. Instead of dwelling on fluffs that waste the time of both the judge and the parties, you should be able to deliver your thoughts in as little time as possible.
“If you over-celebrate the wins, you will have to over-mourn the losses.”
– Ashok Desai
Former Attorney General of India, Mr Ashok Desai, is a man of few words. But they’re enough to inspire an entire generation of lawyers. As per Desai, dwelling on your victories for the sake of ego, reputation, or posterity, isn’t wise. As the higher you jump, the lower you fall. Lawyers who spend a considerable amount of time indulging in the grandiosity of their victories later cut their lives in half lamenting their losses. There’s a better way — which is to just keep moving.
“Avoid unnecessary histrionics and be straightforward in your submissions.”
-Ram Jethmalani
Ram Jethmalani, the man who bent the pages of the Indian constitution as per will, has this to say for the lawyers of India, and we think they can agree. The relationship between the law and the public is delicate. The last thing that the people want from the interpreters of the constitution is to cause drama and taint the proceedings due to their momentary tantrums and whims. Lawyers should be concise, precise, and straightforward. If people want to watch drama, they can turn on the T.Vs in their homes.
“The skill of a practising lawyer is not flamboyance or verbosity but hard work.”
– Fali Sam Nariman
Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal winner Fail Sam Nariman has earned a place in history as a distinguished constitution jurist and senior advocate. The job of a lawyer can appear to be glamorous and exciting from the outside. Several T.V shows have contributed to this image. But fiction couldn’t be farther from reality. Soon after graduating from a Law college in Bhopal, lawyers enter the phase of applying their learnings into real life. The job of a lawyer is challenging. It is hard work. It is developing arguments, compiling case files, and presenting a coherent case that is winnable in court. Additionally, it is also about earning the trust of the public and the lawyer community. Months and years go into learning the craft, and decades go into perfecting it. Instead of expanding your vocabulary or getting a fancy style, focus on the work, because there is a lot of it to be done.
“Once you choose law as a profession, you don’t retire till you die”
– Soli Sorabjee
Former Solicitor and Attorney General of India, Mr Soli Sorabjee, often talked about being a practising lawyer in India. With this quote, he’s talking not so much about blurring the work-life balance, but about the grave responsibility that comes with picking this profession. Especially in a country like India with rampant illiteracy and poverty. Being a lawyer is more than wearing a black coat and filing arguments, it is a part of your character. You must strive for justice and uphold the values of the constitution. You can never separate yourself from the job.
“People are wiser than what we are willing to attribute to them.”
P. Chidambaram
Former Finance Minister of India, Mr P. Chidambaram is a devout public servant and one of the most prominent lawyers in India. Here he speaks about always giving your compatriots the benefit of the doubt. Our interpretations of people are laced with personal biases and assumptions. When in real life, people are smarter and way more capable than we can imagine.
“Lawyers, like doctors, take the oath that they will represent any case in court, giving everyone a chance for justice.”
– Harish Salve
Supreme Court Lawyer Harish Salve talks about the constitutional right for fair legal representation for every Indian. Regardless of the crime, every person deserves the right to defend themselves. Lawyers cannot be swayed by qualms of morality and dismiss the unalienable rights of people. A person is innocent until proven guilty. Like doctors on the battlefield, who stitch the wounds of enemies and allies alike, a lawyer must be ready to show up and do the job of finding the truth and providing everyone, even the presumed guilty party, with fair representation.
Summing up,
India is home to exceptional talent. The top BA LLB colleges that have produced the legal minds of the country are some of its greatest achievements. From Jethmalani to Salve, there are many legends that dedicated their lives to this profession and have taken the country forward with their conviction. Today, and every day, we honor them and pledge to learn from their experience.
