The Importance of Learning Under Senior Advocates: The Foundation of a Successful Legal Career
An Elaborate Reflection on the Observations of Justice B. V. Nagarathna
The legal profession is not merely a means of earning a livelihood. It is a noble calling, a profound responsibility, and an institution upon which the administration of justice substantially depends. To become a successful advocate, the possession of a law degree is only the beginning. The real journey commences when a young lawyer enters the courtroom, observes experienced practitioners, studies the art of advocacy, and gradually learns the traditions, discipline, ethics, and professional etiquette of the Bar.
The recent observations attributed to Hon’ble Justice B. V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India, concerning young lawyers who establish independent offices without adequate training under senior advocates, raise an important question about the future of the legal profession.
According to the report published by LiveLaw on 18 September 2026, Justice Nagarathna emphasised that young advocates who immediately commence independent practice may miss the opportunity to acquire the real skills of advocacy, professional niceties, and essential interpersonal abilities that are developed through experience and guidance. She also stressed the importance of sitting in court and learning from seniors.
Obtaining an LL.B. degree provides a lawyer with the academic foundation of legal knowledge. It introduces the student to statutes, legal principles, constitutional provisions, judicial precedents, and the theoretical framework of justice.
However, the courtroom presents challenges that cannot always be mastered through textbooks or examinations.
A young advocate must learn:
How to read and understand a case file comprehensively.
How to identify the real legal issues in a dispute.
How to draft pleadings, petitions, applications, and written submissions.
How to conduct effective examination-in-chief and cross-examination.
How to address the Court with clarity, precision, and dignity.
How to distinguish between a legally relevant argument and an unnecessary submission.
How to manage clients, deadlines, professional relationships, and courtroom responsibilities.
These abilities develop through a combination of education, observation, practice, discipline, and experience.
The law college teaches the language of law; the courtroom teaches the practical application of that language.
2. The Value of Training Under Senior Advocates
Training under an experienced advocate is an important part of professional development. A senior may provide insights that are difficult to acquire independently, including the practical application of legal strategy, courtroom discipline, drafting techniques, and professional conduct.
A young lawyer who carefully observes a senior advocate can learn not only what to argue, but also when to argue, how to argue, and when not to argue.
The wisdom of the legal profession is transmitted through generations. Every experienced lawyer was once a beginner, and every new generation has the opportunity to preserve valuable traditions while improving the profession.
Nevertheless, mentorship should be understood as a process of learning and professional development—not as the surrender of independent thought. A young advocate must develop the confidence to think independently while respecting the experience of those who have travelled the path before.
3. The Importance of Professional Etiquette
The word “niceties” in the context of the legal profession carries considerable significance.
Professional etiquette includes the manner in which an advocate addresses the Court, interacts with colleagues, communicates with clients, and conducts himself or herself in the administration of justice.
A good advocate must understand that:
Courtesy is not a sign of weakness; it is a reflection of professional strength and self-discipline.
Disagreement between advocates is a natural feature of litigation. However, disagreement must never become personal hostility. An advocate may firmly challenge an argument, dispute a submission, or defend a client’s interests without compromising dignity and civility.
The legal profession is a community in which advocates who oppose one another in one case may stand together in another. Mutual respect is therefore not merely a matter of tradition; it is an essential element of a healthy and functioning Bar.
4. The Difference Between Independence and Premature Independence
Every young lawyer dreams of establishing an independent practice. Such ambition is natural and deserves encouragement.
However, independence must be supported by preparation, competence, and responsibility.
Opening an office, purchasing a nameplate, printing visiting cards, or obtaining a professional identity does not, by itself, establish a successful legal practice.
A lawyer must also possess the ability to:
Protect the interests of clients through competent legal assistance.
Understand procedural requirements.
Prepare cases meticulously.
Conduct effective legal research.
Maintain professional confidentiality.
Recognise personal limitations and seek assistance when necessary.
Continue learning throughout a professional career.
At the same time, not every young advocate has the opportunity to work under a senior. Financial circumstances, family responsibilities, geographical limitations, and the availability of suitable mentors may influence a lawyer’s career path.
Therefore, the broader lesson is not that every lawyer must follow one identical route, but that every aspiring advocate should seek meaningful practical training, wherever reasonably possible.
5. Courtroom Observation: An Unmatched School of Advocacy
The courtroom is a living institution of legal education.
By observing experienced advocates, young lawyers can understand how legal principles are translated into persuasive submissions, how judges engage with difficult questions, and how the presentation of a case can influence the clarity of judicial decision-making.
The young advocate should observe:
How a senior organises a case before entering the courtroom.
How questions from the Bench are answered.
How difficult facts are addressed honestly and strategically.
How precedents are distinguished or relied upon.
How submissions are kept focused on the issues that matter.
How professional composure is maintained under pressure.
A lawyer who learns to listen attentively often develops the ability to argue more effectively.
In litigation, the power of advocacy lies not merely in speaking, but in knowing what deserves to be said.
6. Ethics Must Remain the Foundation of Legal Practice
No amount of professional success can compensate for the abandonment of legal ethics.
An advocate’s first responsibility is to uphold the law, protect the legitimate interests of the client, and assist the Court in the administration of justice.
Young lawyers must understand that professional success cannot be measured exclusively by the number of cases handled, the fees earned, or the size of an office.
True professional achievement is reflected in:
Integrity in dealing with clients and colleagues.
Honesty in presenting facts and law.
Respect for the judicial institution.
Commitment to preparation.
Accountability for professional conduct.
Dedication to the cause of justice.
The legal profession demands both intellectual ability and moral responsibility.
7. Mentorship Must Evolve With the Changing Times
While traditional apprenticeship under senior advocates remains valuable, the legal profession is evolving rapidly.
Modern legal education must also embrace:
Digital legal research and technological tools.
Contemporary methods of case management.
Professional communication skills.
Alternative dispute resolution.
Legal writing and analytical reasoning.
Awareness of new legislation and procedural developments.
Senior advocates have an important role in guiding young professionals through these changes, while young lawyers bring new perspectives, technological awareness, and fresh intellectual energy to the profession.
Experience and innovation should complement each other, not compete with each other.
8. A Message to Young Advocates
To every young lawyer beginning a professional journey, the message is simple:
Do not mistake a professional identity for professional competence.
Do not allow ambition to replace preparation.
Do not consider the process of learning from seniors a sign of inferiority.
Every file you study, every hearing you observe, every draft you prepare, and every mistake you correct contributes to your growth as an advocate.
Be patient, but remain ambitious. Be confident, but remain humble. Be independent in thought, but receptive to sound guidance.
The finest advocates are not necessarily those who speak the most. They are those who understand the law deeply, prepare their cases thoroughly, conduct themselves with dignity, and remain committed to justice.
Conclusion: Building the Future of the Legal Profession
The observations of Justice B. V. Nagarathna offer an opportunity for meaningful reflection on the importance of professional training, mentorship, and ethical development within the legal fraternity.
The future of the Bar depends not only on the number of lawyers entering the profession, but also on the quality of their preparation, their commitment to learning, and their respect for the institutions of justice.
Let every young advocate remember: A successful legal career is not built in a day. It is built through years of learning, discipline, experience, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law.
May the younger generation of advocates rise with knowledge, practise with honesty, argue with dignity, and serve the cause of justice with distinction.
Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court, Calcutta
Reflections on Legal Education, Professional Ethics and the Future of Advocacy
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