KNOW ABOUT A LAWYER

“A LAWYER WITH HIS BRIEFCASE CAN MAKE MORE MONEY THAN A BURGLAR WITH A GUN, IF HE HAS A SHARP WIT AND INTELLIGENCE.” – MARION PUZO IN THE GODFATHER.

The first thing that will strike you about lawyers – you speak to them and you will see that they are cautious. Law is the set of rules which governs the behaviour of person, companies, the government at the center and states and any other entity. The offending party can be punished under the rule of law. Unlike modern careers such as those related to management, computers, bio-technology, call centers, law in India has a glorious history. Decades ago, it was meant for those from a well-to-do family. Almost all the leadership of pre-Independence India comprised lawyers. Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah were all lawyers. Lawyers had a significant impact on the destiny of this nation. The present is not as glorious as past but it is not bleak either. The social acceptability is there so is the wealth, honour and recognition provided you excel in your work. The degree of competition that prevails in the profession is very high. A large numbers of law graduates pass every year. They are allowed to enroll and practice in any court in any part of the country.

Personal Characteristics

“…Abstract figures clad in black and white …

The swirl and swish of gowns…

A smooth yet brisk stride and aura of controlled power…

A silent but tangible pleasure at their faces…

The awe on the faces of spectators, visitors and other mere mortals…{Extract from the Introduction to Careers in law by Geetanjli Pandit}

Four stage of a lawyers life as

Stage – I No work no money

Stage – II Work but no money

Stage – III Work and money

Stage – IV No work yet money

The picture that emerges is clear.

Initially you will have to scratch around to get work. After a few years you may be getting work regularly but you will not be making too much money. It may take upto a decade before you are able to get work and make money. And if your are really good and work hard then after a couple of decades you may reach stage IV where you may make money without really working for long hours. In other words you get paid merely for offering your opinion drawing upon years of experience. However very few lawyers reach Stage IV.

“Once you cross the initial hurdles, then sky is the limit.” Hardwork, dedication and regard for you client are the important qualities needed. You must have a good reading habit, maintain a library and keep yourself up-to-day happenings.

As a lawyer you have to assimilate and analyse the fact quickly. You have to distinguish relevant from the irrelevant, separate the grain from the chaff and apply the law in the situation under scrutiny.

Fluency in written and spoken language and excellent presentation skills are essential to present your case in the court. Your interrogation and cross-examination must be to the point (i.e. precise) and concise. Your should avoid verbosity.

Entry Into the Profession

It is quite easy to get into an LL.B. Course, though some universities conduct entrance exams and interviews. For some good universities competition is as high as competition for entrances for MBA’s or MCA’S. But there are universities which check the basic general knowledge of students and their entrance exams are 0not very tough. The LL.B. Course is designed to give you the knowledge of law but not the skills needed for the legal profession.

“A bachelor’s course in law won’t teach you the lawyering skills”. It equips you with the weapon – The Law. But it does not teach you how to use it. It is on you how you use your weapon and make it more lethal.

And remember you may be the topper from a law college, but that is not enough to make you a good lawyer. Neither your senior your client is going to ask you about your academic performance in LL.B. It is your expertise and experience in handling your client and their cases that bear out your potential.

Nature of the job

Victory in the Court is sweet. But behind it lies a lot of hard work. Winning the case for the client is the duty and responsibility of a lawyer. The arguments and the cross-examinations that follow in the Court are basically the fruits of sleepless nights in your library on the lookout for the correct reference that you may need to present in your client’s case in the court. For that your must be thorough with the nuances of the law

Law As a Profession – How Good?

Law makes a very good wife but a poor mistress. You have to be married to it. You can’t play with it. If you work hard and if you have the capabilities, you will be at the top. And at the top, law is the most rewarding profession. And there is no death of money provided you establish yourself in the profession.

Bar Council has disciplinary jurisdiction

Legal profession in India is governed by ‘The Advocates Act, 1961’. It is a self-contained Code of Law relating to legal profession and this Act extends to the whole of India. This is an Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to legal practitioners and to provide for the constitution of Bar Councils and Bar Council of India. Persons enrolled as advocates with any Bar Council are entitled to practice the Profession of Law throughout the country. No person can be enrolled with more than one Bar Council. The Bar Councils have disciplinary jurisdiction over advocates on their rolls, but his is subject to appeal to the Bar Council of India and a further right of appeal o the Supreme Court of India.