Chandigarh: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday delivered an inspiring address at the first convocation ceremony of Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, emphasising that the practice of law is not a sprint but a long, deliberate journey. He urged young lawyers to treat the profession not as a shortcut to success, but as a craft to be learned carefully, practiced with integrity, and approached with patience and discipline. His remarks highlighted the responsibilities, challenges, and expectations that come with entering the legal profession at a time of complex social, economic, and technological change.

Addressing the graduating students, CJI Kant said that the legal profession demands more than intellectual capability. In today’s world, lawyers must navigate technological disruption, economic complexity, the expansion of rights discourse, and heightened public scrutiny. They are expected not only to argue effectively in courts but also to provide responsible and informed counsel, ensuring that justice and fairness remain at the centre of all legal practice. “The profession looks to its youngest members not merely to adapt, but to elevate standards,” the CJI said. “It looks to you to restore confidence where it has weakened, to introduce innovation without eroding principles, and to practise law with both competence and conscience.”

He described these expectations not as burdens, but as a vote of confidence in the emerging generation of lawyers. Every generation inherits a legal profession shaped by those who came before, but each generation also bears the responsibility of renewal. Lawyers today are not only judged by how effectively they navigate change but also by how thoughtfully they anchor that change in enduring legal values. “In moments of pressure, the profession will rely on you to remember that efficiency must never come at the cost of fairness, and innovation must never dilute accountability,” he asserted.

CJI Kant further elaborated that law is a profession that rewards patience and temperament as much as skill and intellect. Early in their careers, young lawyers may spend more time observing than arguing, more time learning than earning. The initial years test not only a lawyer’s ability but also their capacity for steady perseverance, their temperament, and their ability to remain consistent even when progress is not immediately visible. According to the CJI, many of the finest lawyers and judges did not start with certainty or advantage. Their growth was gradual, often unnoticed, and shaped by patient preparation and composed perseverance. What distinguished them was not early acclaim but consistency, discipline, and the determination to show up, prepare thoroughly, and improve incrementally, even when no one seemed to be watching.

“Those who allow these formative years to teach resilience rather than resentment, perspective rather than impatience, will find that these lessons serve them well for decades to come,” the CJI said. He stressed that the law, in its own time, recognizes those who respect its pace. Those who remain committed, curious, and sincere are eventually rewarded, sometimes later than expected, but in ways that are enduring and meaningful.

Central to this journey, according to CJI Kant, is integrity. He told the young lawyers that integrity is the quality that will sustain them through the uncertainties and pressures of their professional lives. Integrity does not announce itself; it manifests quietly in the manner in which lawyers present facts, advise clients, interact with opponents, and make decisions when the easier, less ethical path is tempting. Over the years, the CJI noted, he has seen lawyers with exceptional intellect falter when trust was compromised, while others who began with modest credentials rose steadily because their word was dependable. Courts, institutions, colleagues, and clients all take note of honesty, fairness, and character. “Remember, long before you enter a courtroom, your reputation arrives ahead of you, calmly announcing who you are,” he told the graduates.

The CJI reminded the students that their education over the last few years has equipped them with knowledge of statutes, judgments, doctrines, and legal principles, and has taught them how to frame arguments and reason through complex issues. However, he emphasized that the law will continue to teach, but now in sterner ways—through real-world interactions with clients, institutions, conflicts, and the consequences of legal practice. The transition from a law student to a practicing lawyer is one that tests not only knowledge but also judgment, patience, temperament, and ethical grounding.

CJI Kant also reflected on the meaning of success, noting that it differs for everyone. For some, success may be defined by professional standing or recognition; for others, by financial stability. Many lawyers may measure success by their contributions to public service or social justice. None of these goals are unworthy, he said, but he encouraged young lawyers to seek a deeper measure of success: the satisfaction of having done their work honestly, having contributed to fairness, and having stood by principle even when it was inconvenient or challenging. “The deeper rewards in law are not always immediate; they are measured over time by the trust, respect, and credibility you build,” he observed.

The Chief Justice’s address also highlighted the broader responsibilities of lawyers in society. He noted that the legal profession occupies a unique position at the intersection of law, ethics, and social accountability. Lawyers have a duty to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and equality while navigating complex legal, economic, and technological challenges. They are called upon to innovate without compromising fundamental values and to serve as a stabilizing force in the legal system, particularly in times of rapid change or societal stress.

He underscored that the practice of law is a marathon rather than a sprint, where growth is incremental, discipline is essential, and perseverance is rewarded. The profession demands consistent effort, continuous learning, and the cultivation of character, judgment, and resilience. By embracing these qualities, young lawyers can build careers that are not only successful in the conventional sense but also impactful in terms of justice, public trust, and societal contribution.

In conclusion, CJI Surya Kant left the graduates with a message of inspiration and responsibility: to treat the law as a craft, to practice it with integrity, to uphold its ethical and moral standards, and to approach their careers with patience, resilience, and perseverance. “Law is not a sprint. It is a long, deliberate journey. Those who remain committed, curious, and sincere often find that the profession rewards them, sometimes a bit later than expected, but in ways that are enduring,” he said. His address served as a reminder that success in the legal profession is measured not just by fame or wealth, but by the ability to contribute meaningfully to justice, fairness, and the rule of law.

The convocation marked not only the celebration of academic achievement but also a moment for reflection on the responsibilities that come with entering a profession central to the functioning of democracy and society. As the new generation of lawyers embarks on their professional journey, the words of CJI Kant will likely resonate as a guide: that careful preparation, ethical practice, integrity, and steadfastness form the foundation of a fulfilling and impactful legal career.