Chief Justice Voices Concern Over Law Graduates Choosing Corporate Roles
India’s Chief Justice, Surya Kant, has expressed serious concern over a growing trend among law graduates to pursue corporate careers instead of courtroom practice. Speaking at the 16th convocation ceremony of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Ahmedabad, he highlighted that a staggering 93% of the university’s recent graduates have opted for jobs in corporate firms.
The Chief Justice remarked that while classroom education lays the foundation, the real essence of law is learned through active practice in courtrooms. He emphasized that the judiciary needs talented and passionate young lawyers to uphold justice, and the current shift away from litigation is a matter of deep worry.
A Growing Imbalance in Career Choices
During his address, Justice Surya Kant referred to data shared by GNLU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. S. Shanthakumar, which revealed that nearly all graduating students were heading toward corporate employment. He noted that as the head of India’s judiciary, his hope is that national law universities produce not just corporate professionals but also a steady stream of advocates and judges.
The Chief Justice stressed that courts are in dire need of bright and committed young lawyers who can contribute to the legal system. He pointed out that while corporate roles are valuable, the justice system cannot thrive without fresh talent choosing to argue cases and serve the public interest.
Classroom Learning Versus Real-World Practice
Justice Surya Kant took the opportunity to advise new graduates on the differences between studying law and practicing it. He explained that academic knowledge and professional reality are not always aligned. Books teach principles and theories, but the actual profession demands much more.
Recalling his own early days as a lawyer, he described how seniors impose tight deadlines, and unlike moot court sessions where mentors offer a safety net, real courtrooms present unpredictable situations. He noted that advocates often have to argue cases under circumstances they never chose, which tests their adaptability and depth of understanding.
He clarified that this gap is not a shortcoming of legal education but a natural distinction between learning and doing. The transition from student to practitioner is where the true growth happens.
Lessons That Only Experience Can Teach
The Chief Justice elaborated on the invaluable lessons that come from hands-on experience. According to him, the initial years of practice are the most instructive. Young lawyers learn to read a judge’s temperament without a single word being spoken. They develop the ability to reassure anxious clients even when they do not have all the answers.
He also highlighted the importance of disagreeing respectfully with seniors, maintaining professional relationships while standing firm on legal principles. Furthermore, when a case is lost, it becomes essential to convince the client that the outcome was due to systemic factors rather than negligence on the advocate’s part. These nuanced skills, he noted, are not found in any syllabus. Every individual must discover their own strengths and find their rightful place in the profession.
The Cricket Analogy for Career Success
Drawing a parallel with the recent T20 World Cup, the Chief Justice explained that successful teams are built on role clarity. He observed that no one expects Suryakumar Yadav to bowl in the death overs or Jasprit Bumrah to finish a match with the bat. Each player is assigned a role that maximizes their strengths.
He urged the graduates to apply the same principle to their legal careers. Instead of trying to excel at everything, they should identify their core competencies and focus their energy there. This approach, he suggested, leads to both professional satisfaction and long-term success.
Enduring the Early Years
Justice Surya Kant acknowledged that understanding one’s strengths does not come immediately. In the early years of a legal career, the only expectation is to stay afloat and manage the workload. However, he advised the graduates to observe carefully. Those who eventually rise in the profession are not the ones who attempt every task. Rather, they are the ones who recognize their unique abilities and channel their efforts accordingly.
The convocation ceremony was also attended by Gujarat High Court’s Chief Justice, Sunita Agarwal, who joined in celebrating the achievements of the graduating batch.
