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The Indian legal landscape is evolving in a progressive direction, or so believes Geeta Luthra, counted among one of India’s foremost criminal lawyers. With over decades of legal expertise, her journey is marked by a commitment to justice. Citing anecdotes from her experiences, she advised aspiring legal professionals on some of the aspects that make for resilient and committed lawyers.
A Legal Legacy
Luthra’s entry into the legal world was influenced by her father, a prominent criminal lawyer. Despite the initial scepticism about women’s success in the field, her father supported her endeavours. “My father was not very convinced about women as successful criminal lawyers but his support was unwavering, whether it was for me playing hockey for Delhi or participating in moot courts,” she recalled.
In the early stages of her career, Luthra faced the legal profession’s challenge of being largely male-dominated, with few women practising criminal law. This did not deter her. Her father’s guidance and the opportunity to engage with various organisations enriched her professional journey. “I do not think I ever doubted doing criminal law,” Luthra said, emphasising her conviction and passion for the field.
Ethical Dilemmas & Legal Reforms
One of the most compelling aspects of her career has been her ethical stance on certain cases. Early in her career, she decided against defending any rape accused. This conviction was tested when she encountered a potentially false rape accusation against a tailor. Despite that, Luthra chose not to represent him, adhering to her principles. “The courage of your convictions sometimes comes against you,” she admitted, indicating the importance of conscience in legal practice.
Her ethical considerations extended to controversial cases, including those related to the #MeToo movement. She explained that if a lawyer was not convinced of their client’s case, they should not take it up for commercial reasons. “No justice would be served otherwise,” she asserted.
Always Learning
Another piece of advice she had for budding criminal lawyers was to start with criminal trials. “Learn by doing,” she urged, and added, “Understanding the basics of law through trial experience is crucial. Many successful lawyers who bypass this step often lack fundamental skills in cross-examination and evidence proving. To practice law, you may be very efficient, very competent, but you need to know the basics.”
Luthra was speaking at the third edition of the Future of Legal Education Summit that took place in Delhi on 30 June 2024.
