'First Generation Lawyers Must Always Be Brave And Patient': Justice Vikram Nath At MNLU Convocation

Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath urged young law graduates to embrace their professional journeys with courage, integrity, and patience, especially those entering the legal field as first-generation lawyers. He was delivering the convocation address at Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), where he spoke at length about the values that sustain a meaningful and principled legal career.

Justice Nath began by congratulating the graduating class, describing the convocation not merely as a ceremony of degrees but “a covenant of trust.” He said society places its confidence in lawyers because law is the discipline that “preserves liberty, resolves conflict, and orders our common life with dignity.”

Speaking directly to students who intend to enter litigation, Justice Nath acknowledged the hardships faced by first-generation lawyers. “You may have heard that the path to success is long, the hours unpredictable, and the monetary returns are quite less at the start. All of this is true,” he said.

He emphasized that while first-generation lawyers may not inherit libraries or client lists, they can inherit "the right habits.” Justice Nath identified preparation, presence, and integrity as the three foundational habits of good advocacy.

"Preparation is the first habit. Master the facts, the procedure, and the relief you seek. Write your arguments with care. Index your files.

Presence is the second habit. Show up on time. Bring courtesy to every interaction. Be ready to assist not only your client but also the court. In the early years, the matters entrusted to you may appear small. But you must remember that there are no small matters when someone's life, liberty, or livelihood is at stake.Perform the small tasks perfectly and your reputation will compound over time.

Integrity is the third habit. Let your word become your bond. Say only what you can defend tomorrow. Do not promise what you cannot deliver. And always be steadfast to your morals," he said.

“First generation lawyers should always be brave and patient. Networks can be built one helpful act at a time. Offer your assistance without calculation. Learn from every senior who gives you even a minute. Treat your juniors with the respect you once craved,” he advised.

He reminded the students that success in the profession comes through steady perseverance and ethical conduct. “A day will come when your name is called not because it is familiar, but because it is trusted,” he said.

Addressing students who have chosen careers beyond the courtroom, such as in corporate practice, policy, academia, or in-house counsel roles, Justice Nath underscored that every legal path carries a responsibility to strengthen the rule of law. “What matters is not the label on your visiting card, but the standard you set for your work,” he remarked.

Turning to those aspiring to join the judiciary, Justice Nath said the institution needs people who “find purpose in patient listening and careful reasoning,” and who carry a conscience that “does not bend when the easy answer tempts.” He urged judicial aspirants not to limit their ambitions:

“The path from a first posting as a Civil Judge to the higher courts of our country, including the Supreme Court, is real. It is walked by those who work with consistency, decide with fairness, and persevere when the days are long.”

Justice Nath also spoke about the centrality of duty and humility in the legal profession. Citing a verse from the Bhagavad Gita to illustrate the importance of disciplined action, he said that when lawyers and judges perform their duties with sincerity, “rights do not need to plead—they arrive as a natural consequence of honest work.”

“Authority in law is always held in trust and never owned,” he said, urging young lawyers to cultivate humility as a daily professional discipline. “Humility keeps us open to correction, protects us from error, and strengthens public confidence. Practised every day, it is not only a virtue but a professional duty.”

Concluding his address, Justice Nath encouraged the graduates to meet the uncertainties of their careers with confidence and curiosity.

“No one begins at the summit. The view from the foothills is beautiful when you look up with curiosity and climb with patience,” he said.

He urged them to pursue their dreams, whether in advocacy, corporate law, or the judiciary, with discipline, imagination, and grace. “The world you are about to enter will test you. Allow it also to enlarge you,” he said, ending with a call to serve the country with “confidence and kindness.”