First generation lawyers have to work harder but those who do shine the brightest: Justice Suresh Kumar Kait

A first-generation lawyer has to work harder but the hard work pays and such people shine the brightest, Justice Suresh Kumar Kait of the Delhi High Court said on Friday. ."The majority of the people are first generation lawyers like me. In the beginning it is difficult. You do not know anyone. You have to work hard. But my message to all is that first generation lawyers will shine like anything. You take any example, IAS, IPS or anything. All the brilliant people are first generation," Justice Kait said. The judge was speaking at the third coffee chat organised by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum (DHCWLF), which also saw the presence of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna.Justice Krishna remarked that the only key to success in the field of law is hard work and some people have to work doubly hard to prove themselves. “The only key to success is hard work. There is a glass ceiling which is not visible... It is a fact that some of us must work doubly hard to prove ourselves… We may be second-generation or third-generation. There may be some advantage. But you cannot succeed by that. There is no shortcut. if you have it [merit] in yourselves, no one can stop you from succeeding,” said Justice Krishna..The judges were speaking on the topic “Challenges faced by first generation lawyers and systemic solutions to level the field: Judges’ perspective.” .Justice Kait recounted that when he came to Delhi he had difficulty understanding English because he was from Hindi medium. His entry into the law profession was also difficult because he had no connections.“We had no idea where we were to sit. But I met a good senior. Whenever us juniors got together, people would criticise their seniors. But I never did that. I have one message for all of you. Whichever senior you are with, for a day, month, or year, be loyal and honest to them,” the judge said.Talking about his experience when he started the independent practice, Justice Kait said that he knew no one in Delhi and then someone suggested that he should share his card with everyone at every occasion.“Some suggested to me that I should my card with everyone. I should do it on New Year, on Diwali and whenever there is a gathering, I should be there. People will come to know that you are an advocate,” he said.Justice Kait added,“Sabko card do. Koi puchhe ki kya karte ho? Uska jawab dene se pahle usko card do. Do chaar to fas hi jaaenge. Uske baad wo replicate hota hai. Tinke tinke se hi Banega ye. (Translation: Share you card with everyone. If someone asks what you do, share your card even before answering the question. You make some clients at least. It then gets replicated. This is how you will build your career.) This is the only way. Work hard, be sincere to your clients and your seniors.”.Justice Krishna added that the perceptions about women in the profession has changed over the years. She said that in the 90s, there were barely any women lawyers or judges and dropout numbers were very high.But now there is more acceptability, she stressed.“Today we are in a privileged situation. Yet, there may be times when we feel we are not being heard, which can hurt us. What is the mantra to deal with this? The mantra is; learn to be deaf. Have your filters. For your mental sanity, learn this art. People tell you to learn to listen, but I am saying learn to be deaf," she said..The judge also talked about the challenges faced by women in the profession and the fact that they must manage four quarters; the professional, personal, social and married lives.“Somebody told me long time back that when you are focussing only on one thing, the others are completely zero. So, in this race of excelling, do not miss on other aspects which are equally important," she said.