First Generation Lawyer

HI! I am a first generation lawyer, and I cannot express the level of difficulties we face as first generation lawyer.

Yes, there might be job security in the Government department, and maybe a good enough pay, but no, the interest is not there, so why bother? And when there is no interest, the person cannot or would not be able to perform their best over there.

It has also been mentioned by the Chief Justice of India – Justice DY Chandrachud that “How many lawyers pay decent salaries to their juniors?”, adding to this he also said “Some young lawyers do not even have chambers where they are paid money.”

He said that “If you are staying in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Kolkata, how much does it cost for a young lawyer to survive? They have rent to pay, transportation, food. This must change, and the burden of doing that is on us, as senior members of the profession…”.

It is great to be coming from a Chief Justice of India, that he understands the importance of treating the juniors well.

His speech had important stuff for every senior lawyer to learn from who treat their juniors unfairly – “For far too long, we have regarded the youngsters in our profession as slave workers. Because that is how we grew up… Those who were ragged, would always go on to rag people who were below them. It was like passing on the blessings of being ragged… Those times were very different. But, also, so many lawyers who could have made it to the top, never made it because they had no resources… There is a network, through which opportunities in the chambers of Senior Advocates, are gotten. It is an old boys' club. It is not merit-based. Are juniors paid decent salaries? All this must change, and the burden is on us, as seniors… If we want to change the face of the legal profession, we have to provide equal opportunity and access to not just women, but also marginalised communities today. So that we can find more diversity on the Bench tomorrow…”.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, had also put light on the issue stating there is a lack of bright people in the profession because of lack of financial resources. His exact words being – “Especially for people coming from underprivileged backgrounds, after studying for six years, it becomes difficult to sustain themselves for another four to five years without a decent stipend… I have also seen situations where the Senior Advocate charges money to take on juniors…".

You must think what a shit post I am posting stating all of this but isn’t this all relatable and true? Tell me what you think in the comments section.

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