Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged young lawyers to see law not as a quick route to success but as a disciplined craft requiring patience and integrity, saying it will test them before offering any meaningful reward.
Haryana: Speaking at the inaugural convocation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University in Sonipat, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged young members of the legal fraternity to treat law not as a rapid pursuit of success, but as a career grounded in dedication, ethical conduct, and perseverance.
He emphasized that the profession values integrity, patience, and steady commitment over shortcuts, reminding graduates that “law is not a sprint, but a long and deliberate journey.”
The CJI noted that while the importance of the legal profession remains unquestionable, the expectations placed on it continue to grow significant.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant told graduating law students that they were stepping into the profession at a time when its importance was universally acknowledged, yet its challenges were greater than ever, shaped by rapidly evolving technology, complex economic realities, expanding conversations around rights, and intense public scrutiny.
Emphasizing that thelegal profession rewards patience over haste, he reminded young lawyers that instant success is neither common nor necessary for a meaningful career.
He observed,
“Many of the finest lawyers and judges did not begin with certainty or advantage. Their growth was gradual, shaped by patient preparation and composed perseverance. What distinguished them was not early acclaim but consistency,”
He noted that the profession constantly tests one’s emotional strength as much as intellectual ability, urging new entrants to remain calm even during slow progress.
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He said,
“If you allow these years to teach you resilience rather than resentment, and perspective rather than impatience, they will serve you well for decades,” ,
He also added,
“The law, in time, recognises those who respect its pace.”
Highlighting that integrity remains the strongest foundation of a legal career, he stressed that honesty and fairness ultimately outweigh brilliance.
He said,
“Integrity does not announce itself. It reveals itself silently; in how you present facts, how you advise clients, how you treat opponents, and how you respond when the easier option tempts you,”
Drawing from his judicial experience, the CJI said that credibility determines a lawyer’s true standing in the profession.
He further said,
“I have seen lawyers of exceptional intellect falter when trust was compromised, and others, who began with modest credentials, rise steadily because their word was dependable. Remember, long before you enter a courtroom, your reputation arrives ahead of you,”
He added that young lawyers today inherit both the benefit of change and the duty to uphold discipline within the system.
He urged the new generation to strengthen public faith in the legal profession, innovate responsibly, and maintain both competence and conscience. He reiterated that speed should never undermine fairness and that technological progress must not weaken accountability.
Addressing the idea of success, he acknowledged that aspirations may differ ranging from recognition and security to public service but stressed that true success lies in ethical work and principled conduct.
He said,
“Success will mean different things to different people, professional standing, financial stability, public service. None of these are unworthy goals. But seek a deeper measure of success: the satisfaction of having done your work honestly, contributed to fairness, and stood by principle even when it was inconvenient,”
Concluding his address, the CJI reminded the graduates that real learning in law begins outside the classroom, shaped by real-world experiences.
He said,
“As you leave this campus, remember that the law will continue to teach you, but now through clients, institutions, conflicts, and consequences,”
He concluded with ,
“Law is not a shortcut to success, but a craft to be learned carefully and practised with integrity. Those who remain committed, curious, and sincere often find that the profession rewards them, sometimes later than expected, but always in ways that endure.”
His speech served as both guidance and a moral reminder, urging young lawyers to pursue careers grounded in patience, substance, and sincerity.