The Legal Profession Is Second To None: Lalit Bhasin
A favourite among law students, Dr Lalit Bhasin, Managing Partner, Bhasin and Co commenced his address by emphasising on the fact that obtaining a law degree does not put a full stop on your legal learning. Learning is a continuous process and the fact that he has not stopped learning after nearly completing six fulfilling decades in law epitomises the fact that stalwarts keep learning throughout their career. In addition, Dr Bhasin stressed on the fact that new emerging areas of law warrant continuous learning of domestic as well as globally evolved Laws.
Legal profession is second to none
New areas of law are emerging which warrants continuous learning. Students need to be abreast of the latest developments, new ideas to be on top of their game. The celebrated lawyer hailed the Indian legal profession as second to none but also acknowledged the challenges we are facing in terms of lack of resources, especially in terms of India’s technology infrastructure.
Dr Bhasin told the audience that he is a workaholic till date and attends a virtual conference at 2 AM in the night if the need arises. Reiterating the age old adage, he said that law is a jealous mistress and once you choose the legal profession, you have to dedicate your full attention and time to it.
Law is a delicate profession for the ladies, says Dr Bhasin
Dr Bhasin acknowledged the kind of challenges women face while managing work and home responsibilities and called their work life balance a remarkable thing they have achieved for themselves. Working women have a number of responsibilities yet they never neglect their legal profession.
The avenues available to law students in terms of career options was briefly touched upon. While there are options galore when it comes to choosing the right legal career for yourself, the veteran lawyer cautioned youngsters on choosing a path for themselves based on other people’s opinion. He rather advised the law students that had come in large numbers to hear his address to focus on building their aptitude. His golden mantra for students wanting to build a career in law lies in the 4 Cs.
Three, four things are very important. I call them four Cs C's means you must have clarity. You must have confidence. You must have commitment. And you must have good competence using four C's, these are the four C's. Clarity is very important. Clarity means clarity of thought. Unless you have clarity of thought. You cannot have clarity of expression. Because if your thinking is correct, you will be able to convey whatever you want to convey. Therefore, expression, what expression, both oral, that is verbal and written.
Legal Writing should not be a neglected subject in Indian law schools
Taking the example of the US. universities where legal writing is religiously taught, Dr Bhasin implored the law students to pay importance to legal writing. It is the art and craft of legal writing that reflects in your application, petitions and pleadings.
Clarity of expression in writing is as important as clarity of expression when you make submissions orally to the court for that matter. Use of simple language rather than fancy English holds the key for lucid legal writing.
Before closing his address, the legal doyan cautioned the students on two things. First do not let technology rule your brain and the second one is to respect the legacy left by the great Indian lawyers and treat law as a noble profession always.
On being asked on how can law students contribute to society in their limited capacity when they dont have a licence, Mr Bhasin replied with great conviction stating that choosing law as a career is itself a commitment to serve the society.
