Justice Abhay Oka inspires future lawyers at NLSIU, calling litigation “5-star social work.” He urges students to join the Bar, highlighting how they can earn well while defending rights, doing pro bono work, and serving justice.
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BENGLAURU: Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S Oka threw down a fire of inspiration to the upcoming batch of law students at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru during an orientation session on July 2.
In a legal landscape often painted as slow and cynical, Justice Oka’s words served as a much-needed reminder of the transformative power of the legal profession, not only as a career but as a public service.
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Justice Oka urged students to consider litigation not merely as a job, but as a vocation that blends financial success with societal responsibility.
“If you are successful, and young bright minds like you are bound to be successful, you earn a lot. And while earning a lot, you can do a lot of pro bono work.”
This duality, he explained, is what makes litigation a form of “five-star social work”. Whether it’s representing undertrials who can’t afford a lawyer, working with legal aid services, or advocating for the voiceless through NGOs, a career in court can be as impactful as it is rewarding.
Justice Oka highlighted a truth often overlooked, the quality of justice depends heavily on the quality of advocacy.
“The success or failure of the legal system always depends on the lawyers. If we have brilliant lawyers practicing before traditional courts, it will improve the quality of our justice delivery system.”
The call was clear, the future of India’s justice system lies in the hands of its upcoming lawyers. A committed, informed, and principled Bar, he emphasized, is essential for sustaining the credibility and effectiveness of the judiciary.
Recalling his own journey through the legal profession, from trial lawyer to the apex court, Justice Oka reflected on how legal education has evolved.
“You belong to a privileged generation of law students, where you have such beautiful facilities.”
He acknowledged that earlier, law was seen as a last resort. But the rise of premier institutions like NLSIU has changed that narrative, producing leaders across the legal, policy, and academic landscape.
Litigation isn’t for the faint-hearted, he admitted. But the intellectual and ethical challenges it poses are precisely what make it thrilling.
“Cross-examination is not about raising your voice… it requires making the witness comfortable and getting the answers you want.”
Appearing before High Courts and the Supreme Court demands a combination of clarity, confidence, and constitutional acumen. But for those who rise to the challenge, the rewards — both moral and professional — are immense.
Drawing from over two decades as a judge, including stints at the Bombay and Karnataka High Courts and the Supreme Court, Justice Oka reflected on the work satisfaction that comes from the Bench. He also acknowledged the role of legal research and academia, which he believes is currently underutilized in India.
“Teaching and research in law is a very important avenue… we must ensure that laws are implemented meaningfully and not misused.”
He gave message to the students,
Litigation isn’t the only noble path. Academic rigor, policy work, and legal writing are equally vital to the health of the legal system.
In a sobering yet hopeful endnote, Justice Oka addressed the elephant in the room, the public trust deficit in the judiciary.
“Yes, our system is facing a crisis of credibility… If our legal system is not going to render justice to the common man, what is the use of having a legal system?”
But he quickly pivoted to optimism, placing the responsibility and the power to restore faith, squarely on the shoulders of law students and young lawyers.
Justice Abhay Oka’s address wasn’t just a speech, it was a clarion call to the next generation of lawyers.
Whether in the courtroom, the classroom, or the corridors of policy, the law is not a distant institution. It is made real every day by the choices of those who practice, teach, and defend it.
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