Be Brave And Patient: Justice Vikram Nath’s Foundational Guide For First-Generation Lawyers

NEW DELHI — In a powerful and deeply resonant convocation address, Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath offered a comprehensive guide for young law graduates, with a particular focus on the unique challenges and virtues required of first-generation lawyers. Speaking at Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Justice Nath moved beyond ceremonial congratulations, framing the conferral of a law degree as a "covenant of trust" with society and outlining the core habits that forge a principled and successful legal career.

His address served as both a practical roadmap and a philosophical touchstone, urging the next generation of legal minds to embrace their journey with courage, integrity, and profound patience.

The Three Foundational Habits of Good Advocacy

While congratulating the graduating class, Justice Nath quickly pivoted to the realities of the profession, especially for those intending to enter litigation without a pre-existing legal lineage. He candidly acknowledged the well-known hardships: the long hours, unpredictable path, and modest initial financial returns. "All of this is true," he affirmed, but he immediately offered a powerful counter-narrative.

While first-generation lawyers may not inherit established libraries or extensive client lists, he argued they have the power to "inherit the right habits." Justice Nath identified three such habits as the bedrock of effective advocacy: Preparation, Presence, and Integrity.

1. Preparation: The First Habit "Preparation is the first habit," he stated, emphasizing the non-negotiable groundwork required for competence. He advised graduates to "master the facts, the procedure, and the relief you seek." This involves not just intellectual understanding but meticulous organization: "Write your arguments with care. Index your files." This fundamental discipline, he suggested, is the great equalizer, a meritocratic tool available to every lawyer regardless of their background.

2. Presence: The Second Habit Beyond mere physical attendance, Justice Nath defined "presence" as a holistic professional demeanor. "Show up on time. Bring courtesy to every interaction. Be ready to assist not only your client but also the court," he instructed. He addressed the common experience of junior lawyers being assigned seemingly minor cases, reframing their significance entirely. “You must remember that there are no small matters when someone's life, liberty, or livelihood is at stake," he warned. "Perform the small tasks perfectly and your reputation will compound over time." This perspective transforms routine tasks into opportunities for demonstrating reliability and excellence.

3. Integrity: The Third and Most Critical Habit Justice Nath described integrity as the ultimate currency of the legal profession. "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 counseled. This unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, he explained, is what ultimately builds the most valuable asset a lawyer can possess: trust. He envisioned a future for the graduates where this investment pays its highest dividend: “A day will come when your name is called not because it is familiar, but because it is trusted.”

Building Networks and a Legacy of Trust

Addressing the daunting task of network-building for those without established connections, Justice Nath offered a simple, yet profound, strategy. “First generation lawyers should always be brave and patient. Networks can be built one helpful act at a time. Offer your assistance without calculation,” he advised. This approach shifts the focus from transactional networking to building genuine professional relationships founded on generosity and mutual respect.

He encouraged a culture of mentorship and collegiality, urging the graduates to “learn from every senior who gives you even a minute” and to “treat your juniors with the respect you once craved.” This cycle of respect, he implied, is what strengthens the fabric of the bar itself.

A Universal Duty: Beyond the Courtroom

Justice Nath extended his message to all graduates, regardless of their chosen career path. Whether in corporate practice, policy-making, academia, or in-house roles, he underscored a shared and inescapable 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, demolishing any perceived hierarchy within the legal field and uniting all its practitioners under a common purpose.

For those aspiring to join the judiciary, he offered a specific vision of the ideal judge. The institution, he said, needs individuals who “find purpose in patient listening and careful reasoning,” and who possess a conscience that “does not bend when the easy answer tempts.” He painted an achievable, merit-based trajectory for judicial officers, noting, “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.”

The Philosophy of Practice: Humility as a Professional Duty

Drawing upon the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, Justice Nath spoke of the centrality of duty (dharma) in professional life. He posited that when lawyers and judges perform their duties with sincerity and discipline, the protection of rights becomes a natural outcome. “Rights do not need to plead—they arrive as a natural consequence of honest work,” he said.

He coupled this concept of duty with a powerful call for humility, describing it not as a passive virtue but as an active, daily professional discipline. “Authority in law is always held in trust and never owned,” he reminded the audience. In this context, humility is a safeguard. “Humility keeps us open to correction, protects us from error, and strengthens public confidence.”

Concluding his address, Justice Nath encouraged the new graduates to face the future with a spirit of optimistic realism. “No one begins at the summit," he said. "The view from the foothills is beautiful when you look up with curiosity and climb with patience.” His final charge was for them to allow the tests of their careers to not break them, but to enlarge them, and to serve the nation with both "confidence and kindness."