Senior Advocate Anoop Bose Shares his Do's and Donts for Legal Professionals at the BW Legal World Global Legal Summit

The BW Global Legal Summit and Leaders Awards 2020 saw insights from industry experts on various topics from the Rise of LegalTech- Leveraging Power of AI to Grow 10X to other important discussions focussing on the road ahead for Ease of Doing Business in India- Breaking into World Bank’s Top 50 Nations on the Ease of Doing Business Index,  Dispute Resolution, Systemic Digitisation in the Aftermath of Covid-19, Tribunalisation of Justice, compliances around Data, Security & Privacy and much more.

Practising Law is a noble profession

Sharing his thoughts on do’s and don’ts, Senior Advocate Anoop Bose began his dialogue by referring to Swami Vedana Krishna Swami’s classic treatise on professional conduct and advocacy wherein the latter hailed the legal profession as the most brilliant and attractive of peaceful professions. He further pontificated that an advocate has to deal with the greatest possible variety of human relations and has this metal constantly tried from every direction. For the same reason. an advocate earns great social distinction, which ought not to be misused at any cost. 

First five years critical for success in the legal profession

Pointing to Supreme Court’s Judgement in Indian Council of legal aid and advice, versus bar Council of India Mr Bose said that it is the duty of a lawyer, is to assist the court in the administration of justice, the practice of law has a public utility flavour and therefore, he must strictly unscrupulously abide by the Code of Conduct beholding the noble profession. He also views the first five years of the young members of the fraternity as the most critical for their success. Even after his admission to the bar, if the young lawyer squanders his precious time paying more attention to the varied pleasures of society, the irresistible lure of alcohol, tobacco and drugs and not to mention the opposite sex, and the lowering amusements of the internet and mobile telephony and other modern-day distractions. Then he does to the study of law, an interest of his clients.

There is no excellence, without great labor - William Wirt

Throughout his dialogue, Mr Bose stressed on the attributes of hard work, grit and perseverance for becoming a shining star in the profession. He also said that young lawyers must inculcate the quality of diligence and have an eye for detail to become meticulous at their work.  The veteran lawyer gave Abraham Lincoln’s example to emphasize on the undeniable importance of extemporaneous persuasive and lucid public speaking for lawyers.  He briefly touched upon the flawed public perception of law being a dishonest profession and encouraged every professional to resolve to live an honest professional life with a clean conscience. Mr Bose implored all young Advocates to cultivate a character full of grace, poise and dignity. Mr Bose aptly discussed certain professional etiquettes that one must follow in the profession during the course of his keynote session

“The young lawyer must realize the utmost importance of self-control, and composure. He must not under any circumstances permit anyone to be the master of his temper, but himself. He must strive to emulate the manner of the best legal practitioners, one failing the retain their presence of mind and sense of decorum”.

Mr bose had one crucial advice for young lawyers on their impeccable professional duty towards the client. He said that the character credentials and antecedents of a client should never deter a young lawyer to accept a brief. Every person, however wicked depraved vile degenerate perverted loathsome excavation vicious or repulsive they may be regarded by society has a right to be defended in a court of law and correspondingly. It is the duty of the lawyer to defend him. Before closing his inspirational talk, he encouraged young legal professionals to consider the cause of justice for the poor not only as their moral responsibility but also as a professional duty.