Need Not Be Aggressive To Succeed In Litigation; Be Authentic : CJI Sanjiv Khanna To Law Students

Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna today (February 15) spoke on the need for young professionals to stay authentic and true to their identity amidst the social pressure to be a certain way in order to achieve success. 

Speaking at the 3rd Convocation ceremony of Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, CJI expressed that a successful lawyer is not someone who is aggressive in his or her submissions or overtly social, but someone who focuses on mastering the skill of arguing. He said : 

“In the years ahead, you'll hear countless voices telling you who a lawyer should be. That you need to be aggressive to succeed in litigation. That you need a certain personality for corporate law. That there's a prescribed way to network, to dress, to speak, to exist in these legal spaces. Some days you'll sit in meetings, in courtrooms, feeling like an impostor - wondering if everyone else got a secret manual on how to be a 'real' lawyer.”

“Let me tell you this: some of the most formidable litigators I know never raise their voice, yet command absolute attention in court. Some brilliant corporate lawyers prefer solitude to socializing, yet build remarkable practices through sheer brilliance. Yes, they know their precedents cold. Yes, their legal reasoning is impeccable. These giants of the profession will also tell you that your mind is not a legal vessel alone. What sets them apart is how they bring all parts of their personality to their practice.”

“In a world of cynicism, remember- authentic work cuts through the noise. Your voice, your approach, your way of thinking - paired with excellence in your work - that's an unbeatable combination.”

The CJI also gave his insights on how to approach the legal profession practically 

(1) Adaptability In Ever Evolving Legal Profession : 

The CJI laid emphasis on the need to enter the law field with an open mind and be ready to learn things from scratch- something which one may not always be taught in the law school. 

"Stepping into this profession is just as much about unlearning as it is about applying what you've learned. Unlearning doesn't mean abandoning your knowledge—it means adapting it. Unlearning is simply a way of seeing things from a new angle. It's how you'll transform what you know into tools for real-world challenges."

"At its core, the law is about something very fundamental and endemic to any society – people's problems. The issues which plague people are just as varied and unique as the people themselves, and we, are the problem-solvers." 

He added how it's important to provide creative and custom-made solutions to the client's problems, it may not be necessary that all disputes be taken to Courts : 

"Just as the problems themselves cannot be fit into boxes, neither can their solutions. As our problems keep becoming more dynamic, we need our solutions to be more flexible too."

"The road to justice cannot itself become a hurdle to achieve it. Not all disputes are suited for courtroom litigation or even arbitration."

"Mediation is a mode of redressal that offers us more than just dispute resolution - it opens doors to creative solutions beyond simple yes or no answers. By choosing this path, we not only resolve conflicts efficiently but also strengthen relationships between people and businesses. I urge you to think beyond the convention and broaden your horizons, to make justice delivery more cost-effective and time-bound."

(2) Using Legal Education As A Tool For Social Change & Good : 

CJI stressed that lawyers have always been in the forefront of social change, right from the time of the Country's freedom struggle. He added how changing times are posing new socio-legal challenges such as climate crisis, takeover of AI and privacy concerns. In such circumstances, it is imperative that lawyers work towards providing legal aid and pro bono contributions. 

"As lawyers we find ourselves in the privileged position of understanding the pulse of the country's population, and having the right resources to address it. We do not have to look far to fulfil our duty as a part of this noble profession. Whether it is work taken up pro-bono, assisting in a legal aid matter, or helping mediate differences - the options are many."

"In fact, the Indian legal aid structure is perhaps the most robust in the world, where assistance is extended to all stakeholders- the accused, the victim, and even the families of both the accused and the victims. India's legal aid cover includes 80% of our population, and a young workforce can help bring the objectives of the NALSA schemes to fruition. The combination of our robust legal aid framework with the energy of our young lawyers has the potential to make India a world leader in accessibility." 

"The policy of “one for the kitchen, one for the soul” strikes a balance between our professional aspirations, and realising the full potential of our role as a lawyer. I can say this with confidence, that work done for the good of the society gives you the purpose that keeps you going." 

(3) To Tackle Uncertainty, Believe In The Process: 

The CJI addressed the issue of career anxiety that many youngsters may face in their professional journey. He advised the students that even if nothing goes out as one may plan, one has to learn from the opportunities that life throws at one rather unexpectedly. He gave the example of the legendary Nani Palkhivala- how he embraced the unknown and went on to reach such successful heights. 

"Your generation is different from our generation to one extent – that you believe in planning everything to the T— every career step mapped out, every milestone has a timeline. It's practical, and often necessary. But here's the catch—passion doesn't follow a checklist. It's not a sudden lightning bolt that solves everything. Sometimes, it's not about chasing what you want but letting it find you along the way. After all, the detours often lead to the most rewarding destinations." 

"Consider Nani Palkhivala himself – arguably one of India's greatest legal minds, who stumbled into law only because admissions to all other degrees were closed for the year. He embraced the unplanned, which opened the doors of greatness for him." 

Stressing on the importance keeping oneself abreast with developments from various other fields, CJI expressed the need to diversify knowledge. 

"Because here lies the paradox – the more you enrich your world beyond the law, the better lawyer you become. Every new perspective you gain becomes a tool in your legal arsenal. Think of it this way – you can either be a magnifying glass, focused intensely on a single point, or you can be a prism, taking in light from all directions and creating something richer in the process."

"I can attest to this myself. Even though they do not align with my work, I often keep newspaper clippings of new developments in the fields of science, technology or business – just because I find them interesting. Ultimately, one's application of law can only be as good as their understanding of the world they seek to govern." 

(4) Self-discipline And Hardwork Over Networking And Talent : 

The CJI acknowledged that curating impactful LinkedIn profiles and expanding one's professional network may help one grow as a lawyer. However, he opined that the element of self-discipline and hard work cannot be overlooked in the long run. 

“In today's world, there's so much emphasis on networking and curating the best LinkedIn profiles. And I'm not here to deny that these things matter—they absolutely do. Networking creates opportunities, and showcasing your work is important. But I think your generation sometimes forgets the first and the most essential step: tenacity.”

“Motivation can get you started, but it's not enough. Motivation comes in bursts, but it fades. What sustains you is self-discipline and the willingness to work, especially on the days when you don't feel like it. Success isn't built on inspiration—it's built on the habits you cultivate, the effort you put in, and the consistency with which you show up. As it is famously said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Luck is not found; it is to be earned.”

“And in our profession, progress is rarely linear. Success doesn't come overnight, and setbacks are inevitable. There will be days when it feels like all your effort is leading nowhere. But this is where resilience comes in.”

He added that in tough times, a strong and solid support system comes to aid: 

“When those moments of discouragement come, having a strong support system can make all the difference. Surround yourself with people who lift you up—friends and family who encourage you—but also those who will challenge you and show you the mirror when needed. It is said, “No person is an island.” Success is deeply personal, but it's rarely achieved in isolation.”