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At NLSIU Convocation, Justice Surya Kant Calls on New Lawyers to Choose Conscience and Build Community

His message carries added weight given his scheduled elevation to Chief Justice of India in November.

Overview

  • Delivering the presidential address in Bengaluru, he urged graduates to treat law as an instrument of societal transformation rather than a mere career.
  • He outlined three career‑defining choices facing every lawyer: guarding ethical boundaries, defining success with authenticity, and lifting others while advancing.
  • Recounting an early‑career episode, he said refusing ethically uncomfortable arguments won lasting trust, arguing that integrity opens doors.
  • He warned against practices like inflating billable hours or prolonging disputes for fees, advising graduates to set clear non‑negotiables.
  • The ceremony drew senior judges including Justices B. V. Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol, as NLSIU conferred 1,557 degrees and 52 gold medals.