Aim For More Inclusivity, Diversity & Community Reach: CJI N.V Ramana To Law Firms

In the Coffee Table Book launch by the Society for Indian Law Firms (SILF), Chief Justice of India, N.V Ramana urged Indian law firms to take up more pro-bono cases reaching out to those inhibited from reaching them. While praising the avenues and economic mobility law firms have provided for the fresh first-generation lawyers, he urged to enhance inclusivity and diversity, offering opportunities to law students beyond Tier-1 cities. He remarked,

"Major law firms tend to go to only Tier-I cities and select universities for recruitment. In this process, many young talented lawyers, despite their interest and willingness, are left out of the process. There are diamonds in the rough everywhere. I would urge you all to take up initiatives to ensure inclusivity and realize full potential of our human resources."

Emphasizing the benefits of diversity, Chief Justice noted that diversity brings wide-ranging opinions to the table, providing more equitable and holistic solutions. He also emphasized the need to retain more female lawyers by making the necessary institutional changes. He noted,

"Some of the best lawyers in our countries legal history have been from small towns and villages. Traditional legal practices, with all its barriers have still given space to young legal aspirants to make their mark in their regional legal sphere."

Referring to the law firm fraternity as the next phase of the great Indian legal project, he reminded that while competing with international standards, one must not forget to look inwards.

CJI N V Ramana proposed training the present and future lawyers to adapt to the changing nature of the legal profession. He proposed involving local talent from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to handle transactions and disputes arising in these emerging business hubs. He emphasized the need for scholarship and other competitive ways to find talent in the regional law schools.

"There are diamonds in the rough everywhere," he added.

The Chief Justice also proposed enhancing community outreach to tackle the misconception that law firms are reserved to provide services to the rich. Motivating the law firms to contribute towards the constitutional aspirations, he remarked,

"Internationally, law firms are taking up several social causes and actively engaging in providing justice to those in need. I urge you all to take up more and more pro-bono cases and reach out to those who are inhibited from reaching us. When it comes to fulfilling our constitutional aspirations, we all must do our bit."

Lauding the efforts of Society for Indian Law Firms in continuously endeavoring to increasingly fulfill their social commitments, he suggested using the forum to formulate new policies and build new commitments.

CJI N V Ramana mapped the growth and contribution of Indian law firms, which have now come at par with their global counterparts. He praised the holistic as yet specialized services of law firms. He remarked that their services are helping entrepreneurs and business houses to make their ideas a reality. Acknowledging the role of law firms at the forefront of the economy even during the COVID 19 pandemic, he remarked,

"Admittedly, despite the pandemic in 2020, India recorded over 350 Mergers And Acquisitions deals worth USD 37.5 billion; the crossborder deal activity recorded over 140 transactions with deal values worth USD 21 billion. Moreover, 2020 saw record Private Equity deal making activity in India with investments worth USD 40 billion, 28% higher than the previous record witnessed in 2019, with around 950 deals. There is no denying that the law firms have been in the forefront of India's economy."

He attributed the emergence of newer practice areas such as mergers and acquisitions, project finance, structured finance, corporate insolvency, and capital markets to the growth of the Indian legal landscape in synchronization with that of the macro-economic growth of India and unprecedented growth of commercial law advisory relating to an influx of foreign capital.

Acknowledging the existing inequities in the opportunities for lawyers, he remembered his days of law graduation when people would ask,

"Why are you studying law? Did you not get any employment elsewhere? Do you not want to get married"

He remarked that sustainable practice in the courts was a dream that was rarely realized for a first-generation lawyer, making people consider a law degree as a last resort.

The event was addressed by the Attorney General of India, K.K.Venugopal and former President of the Bar Association Senior Advocate Fali S. Nariman. Founders and heads of several prestigious law firms like Zia Mody, Cyril Shroff, V. Lakshmikumaran, Jyoti Sagar, and N.G. Khaitan also addressed the gathering. Zia Mody, the founding partner of AZB & Partners, offered assistance to the Supreme Court, duly acknowledged by Chief Justice Ramana.

Click Here To Download/Read The Speech