My Struggle as a First-Generation Lawyer

To be very frank, I never wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to do business, and during those days, BBA had just been introduced. It was a new and exciting field, something I was genuinely interested in pursuing. However, as I reflect on the 90s, the word "choice" was still finding its place in our lives. So, I ended up studying law because my parents wanted me to.

After graduation, like many others, I began my legal journey under my senior, the late Bhoop Singh. He was, without a doubt, one of the best things to ever happen to me. If there were an award for the Best Senior, he should have received it. He taught me everything, and his core mantra—"No case is small"—still echoes in my mind. He would always say, "Success follows knowledge, and knowledge follows hard work," words that continue to guide me to this day.

Sadly, he passed away within five years of my practice due to cancer. By then, I had already started my independent practice, but his loss left a huge gap in my heart. Though I was practicing independently, I still needed guidance. At that time, the internet was relatively new, and accessing knowledge—especially procedural knowledge—was not easy. As a civil lawyer, where procedure matters immensely, the lack of senior guidance made things difficult. Let’s admit it: our legal community is not always kind to juniors. While there are exceptions, the culture of sharing insights and knowledge is still limited.

During the Tsunami relief period, I had the opportunity to engage in a lot of legal aid work, which clearly defined me as the lawyer I am today. However, I also realized that no matter how knowledgeable you are, what truly matters is your connections. There were days when I watched my colleagues secure panel positions, where merit wasn’t the main criterion. This led to frustration—another harsh reality of our profession. I’m not saying this happens everywhere, but it is prevalent in many places.

The struggle was never about gaining knowledge; it was about accepting the fact that knowledge alone was not the key to being acknowledged or securing positions.

It’s not that I wasn’t offered roles, but when opportunities came, I was often not in a position to accept them.

Now, as I look back on 24 years of practice, I see a young girl who wasn’t afraid to try and achieve things beyond her wildest imagination. Despite not having any support, what kept me going, even in moments of frustration, were my senior’s wise words: "Success follows knowledge, and knowledge follows hard work."

I’ve also come to believe that success is a state of mind. Yes, there were days of frustration and tears—that was part of my journey—but the hero of my story has always been my attitude. I refused to dwell on failures that were beyond my control and focused on doing my work diligently.

Yes, the struggles of first-generation lawyers are real, but that doesn’t mean you should give up or make life easier for others at your own expense. Instead, use your experiences to inspire and guide others while staying true to your values and continuing to build your own path with resilience and determination.

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