It is a very famous quote about lawyers that “Lawyers Are the Foot Soldiers of Our Constitution”. True in all senses, law is what brings peace and order in a country, and the lawyers of a country are the peacekeeping force that is absolutely necessary to see that justice is served.
India has been gifted with some of the best lawyers and the most effective law education in the world. With our universities bringing in more skilled lawyers every year, our system ensures that these young and aspiring students get to learn from the best lawyers in the country.
These people are the benchmark of the finesse that the Indian judiciary and association of lawyers have in this country. There are some great lessons that a budding lawyer or a student of law can learn from these influential lawyers.
Lessons from India’s Best Lawyers
- Mahatma Gandhi
Who is a better lawyer than the one who advocated the country’s freedom from British rule? It is a commonly known fact that before becoming the face of the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi worked as a lawyer, an act that always guided him as he guided the country towards freedom.
However, his best teaching for lawyers came in the form of a short lesson in history. In his own words “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it, always.”
- Ram Jethmalani
Unarguably the most famous lawyer of modern times, a face of the Indian judicial system, and one of the most prominent figures in the country, Ram Jethmalani will always be remembered for his amazing work and words. He was admired by the entire country for his indomitable personality and his teachings.
For lawyers, Mr. Jethmalani was like a deity who left behind his teachings. The best one: “If witnesses don’t support the prosecution, what can the judge do? The judge is helpless; all this is unnecessary hype.”
- Fali Nariman
The winner of some of the highest civilian awards in the country like Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, Mr. Fali S Nariman has also been awarded the Prize for Justice for his contribution to law and judicial system of the country of India.
A well-read and well-studied lawyer himself, Mr. Nariman’s most famous quote will be the answer that he gave to the question “Are courts crossing the Lakshman Rekha?” He replied “As Ramayana depicts, the Lakshman Rekha can be crossed only when it is necessary. When it is done, it is always and only for a good cause.”
- P. Chidambaram
The former finance minister of India and one of the most prominent politicians of the current times, P. Chidambaram was once also a corporate lawyer with a practice in the Supreme Court and a number of high courts of India. With his knowledge of the economy of a country and his understanding of the public as a whole, Mr. P. Chidambaram’s most resonating lines says that: “People are wiser than what we are willing to attribute to them” These words go very well in line with his statement where he said that the people of India are at least 10 to 15 years ahead of their government.
- Harish Salve
The former solicitor general of India, Harish Salve has been known as a fierce lawyer who uses his wit and arguments to win over a number of high profile cases. Having represented Vodafone, Mukesh Ambani, and most importantly, Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Salve’s grandfather was an elite criminal lawyer, while his father was an eminent Chartered Accountant who was great friends with the famous lawyer, Nani Palkhivala. Growing up under his shadow, Harish Salve has come a long way as an advocate and has had even won a case against the great Ram Jethmalani.
However, his most famous words also reflect the simple honesty that has made him a big success: “I am a very poor lawyer. If I am not convinced about a case, I will make a very weak argument in court. Lawyers, like doctors, take the oath that they will represent any case in court, giving everyone a chance for justice.”
Lawyers are the fascinating people as they learn to win an argument only by asking questions. They make people see the flaw in their own logic and thus, present the truth, so justice can be served.
At Sangam University, the best LLB college in Rajasthan, we pledge to polish our students in the field of law so they can walk in the footprints left by these great and eminent lawyers of India. We help them learn the best, from the best, that the country has to offer. Contact for admissions today for a successful career tomorrow.
