Embark on this journey with patience and humility: CJI DY Chandrachud at 32nd NLSIU Annual Convocation

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Sunday urged young lawyers to embark on their professional journey with patience and humility.

He explained that the urge to act with immediacy is unsustainable in the long run and that making hasty decisions can adversely affect our mental health.

"The urge to act with immediacy is unsustainable in the long run. Make sure, changes in good institutions in a stable democracy take place incrementally. Decisions made in haste drain us, impact our mental health adversely," the CJI said.

He cited the case of Bryan Stevenson and Walter McMillan and highlighted that although the case took long to decide, McMillan was exonerated.

The CJI was addressing graduating students at the 32nd Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru.

He emphasized that the legal profession will demand attention but urged young lawyers to remind themselves that they are in it for the long haul.

He then shared a personal anecdote about a review petition concerning a death penalty case to illustrate how patience can lead to meaningful outcomes.

"Judges sometimes ask peculiar questions. I once asked such a peculiar question when I was dealing with a review petition against an order confirming a death penalty award. I asked the lawyer how long will you take? The lawyer responded that if you have the patience I will persuade you that this is a case for clean acquittal. We gave that little bit of patience that afternoon but it resulted in the acquittal of the accused," the CJI shared.

The CJI also spoke about the challenges of the legal profession, acknowledging feelings of inadequacy and burnout. He advised graduates to build a robust support network and to spend time with family and friends.

"This is a fast paced era where everything seems to be a do or situation and these early days of your legal career will be demanding . You may feel inadequate, insecure and isolated at times. Many of us experience this burn out but remember you are not alone in this journey. But remember to deal with obstacles you face you must build a strong support network , spend time with your family and friends . Leading doesn’t mean you’re alone - though it may feel so at times," he said.

Furthermore, he urged young lawyers to not just be great minds, but also compassionate humans.

"As a judge for 24 years, I'll tell you why we argue in first person in our courts-- we argue not for our clients but we argue as them. We don't just represent them but we become their voice, their advocates," he explained.

The CJI then reflected on the diverse paths graduates might take, from traditional roles in law to non-traditional ones, including research, writing, or even stand-up comedy.

“Whatever you do, do with passion. Congratulations,” he said, before concluding his address.

[Read Live Coverage of Speech]