Under the guidance of Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, the Supreme Court of India’s Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates (CDSA) conducted a rigorous selection process for senior advocate designations. The committee, including Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Bhushan R. Gavai, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, and Senior Advocate Kiran Suri, meticulously reviewed over 280 applications and interviewed 199 candidates, reflecting the Supreme Court’s commitment to maintaining high standards in the legal profession.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India on January 19 has elevated 56 lawyers to the status of Senior Advocates, with this year’s selection being particularly noteworthy for its diversity and inclusion. Among the appointees, 11 women lawyers have been honored, a figure that surpasses the total number of women who have received this distinction in the past. This move signifies a progressive shift in the legal landscape, emphasizing the importance of gender representation and the recognition of first-generation lawyers.
Also read- Supreme Court Elevates 56 Lawyers To Senior Advocates, Including 11 Women (lawchakra.in)
The selection process, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud and the Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates (CDSA), was rigorous and comprehensive. The committee, which included justices Sanjiv Khanna, Bhushan R. Gavai, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, and Senior Advocate Kiran Suri, evaluated over 280 applications, with 199 candidates being interviewed.
The 11 women lawyers who have been designated as Senior Advocates are a testament to the evolving face of the legal profession in India. Each of these women has made significant contributions to the field of law, showcasing expertise across various domains.
1. Shobha Gupta: Known for her advocacy in women’s rights and liberty matters, Gupta has been a standing counsel for the National Human Rights Commission for over 16 years. She notably represented Bilkis Bano pro bono in all her cases, leading to a landmark compensation award in a rape case.
2. Swarupama Chaturvedi: A graduate in law since 1999, Chaturvedi has been an Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court since 2012. She served as the Additional Advocate General for Madhya Pradesh and has represented the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in significant cases.
3. Liz Mathew: An alumnus of the National Law School of India University, Mathew has an impressive career, having worked with Senior Advocate Indu Malhotra and Attorney General KK Venugopal. She has been involved in notable cases, including as amicus in a case criticizing a Calcutta High Court judgment on young girls’ sexual urges.
4. Karuna Nundy: Listed by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people, Nundy’s work spans constitutional and legal drafting and policy both in India and abroad. Her pro bono work includes litigation related to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster and advocating for the rights of same-sex couples and criminalization of marital rape.
5. Nisha Bagchi: A seasoned practitioner at the Supreme Court, Bagchi specializes in customs, civil, commercial, and arbitration cases. She has been a key figure in the Gender Sensitisation Committee of the Supreme Court.
6. Uttara Babbar: An Advocate-on-Record, Babbar, a graduate of NLSIU, Bangalore, and Columbia Law School, has represented significant cases, including the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple administration.
7. Haripriya Padmanabhan: With over 25 years of experience, Padmanabhan specializes in civil, commercial, and constitutional cases. She has been involved in landmark cases, including the Annie Nagaraja case for women naval officers.
8. Archana Pathak Dave: A graduate of Rajasthan University, Dave has over 20 years of practice and has represented various government bodies and corporate clients in significant cases.
9. N.S. Nappinai: A lawyer with over 30 years of experience, Nappinai specializes in cyber law, constitutional law, and criminal law. She is a prolific writer and speaker, contributing significantly to the field of cyber safety.
10. S. Janani: An independent lawyer practicing since 1986, Janani has a diverse practice area, including employment, property law, cyber crimes, and consumer protection.
11. Shirin Khajuria: With over 30 years of experience, Khajuria is known for her expertise in commercial, contractual, matrimonial, and family law matters.
Also read- Eleven Convicts In Bilkis Bano Case Surrender Following Supreme Court Deadline (lawchakra.in)
The inclusion of these accomplished women lawyers as Senior Advocates not only celebrates their individual achievements but also marks a significant step towards gender equality in the legal profession. Their diverse expertise across various legal domains underscores the evolving dynamics of the Indian legal system, which is increasingly recognizing and valuing the contributions of women and first-generation lawyers. This historic designation by the Supreme Court serves as an inspiration and a beacon of progress in the legal community.
