Ram Jethmalani was one of India’s most influential and fearless lawyers, known for his boldness, legal expertise, and a career that spanned over seven decades. His life and career offer valuable lessons for aspiring lawyers and law professionals.
From his fearless defense in controversial cases to his mastery of legal knowledge, there are many things to learn from Ram Jethmalani.
Here, we will discuss the key lessons from Ram Jethmalani for young lawyers, focusing on his dedication to justice, integrity, and the importance of continuous learning in the legal field.
Lessons from Ram Jethmalani
The following are the important life lessons to learn from Ram Jethmalani for lawyers:
1. Have a Learning Mindset Always
Even after decades of practicing law, Ram Jethmalani never stopped learning. He had a team of young lawyers teaching him the evolving aspects of law.
This relentless drive to keep learning—even at the age of 95—highlights the importance of staying updated in a constantly changing legal landscape. Jethmalani’s humility in seeking knowledge is a reminder that no matter how many cases you’ve fought, or how much experience you have, the law is ever-evolving.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Never let experience make you complacent. To stay relevant, always nurture a learning mindset and be open to new ideas and perspectives.
2. Reach the Root Cause
Jethmalani had a unique approach to every case he worked on—he believed in getting to the root cause.
According to him, you can’t solve a case or present a convincing argument without deeply understanding its origins. He used the analogy of India’s partition, citing that small, overlooked factors could cause significant consequences.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Thorough research and a comprehensive understanding of every case’s backstory are essential to finding solutions and presenting strong arguments. Always go beyond surface-level details to understand the real factors driving the case.
3. Do Not Consider Law as Business
Ram Jethmalani was a firm believer that law should be viewed as a profession of service rather than a business. Although he was one of the highest-paid lawyers in India, 90% of his clients were either charged nominal fees or defended for free.
His substantial income came from a select group of high-profile clients, allowing him to serve those who couldn’t afford legal representation. His tenure as Chairman of the Bar Council saw him pushing for legal reforms, especially the duty of lawyers to offer pro bono services to those in need.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
If you view law merely as a way to make money, you’re in the wrong profession. Pursue law to serve justice, especially for the marginalized who can’t afford high fees. As a lawyer, you hold the power to make justice accessible to all.
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4. Put in 15 Hours of Work Daily
Jethmalani’s success was built on an extraordinary work ethic. He believed that to succeed in the competitive world of law, young lawyers need to be prepared to put in as many as 15 hours of work each day.
His own life reflected this principle, as he relentlessly worked on cases, prepared for court, and honed his legal skills, even during his later years.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
The legal profession demands dedication, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Especially in the early stages of your career, you must be ready to invest time and effort beyond the average to build a foundation for success.
If you aren’t ready for this level of commitment, the law might not be the right path.
5. Be a Law Architect
Jethmalani described great lawyers as “architects of law” who must not only know the law but also be masters in multiple disciplines, such as history, philosophy, science, logic, and languages.
He emphasized that winning a case requires a holistic understanding of these aspects, and, most importantly, command over language.
He believed that language was a lawyer’s most vital tool—how you present your arguments could make or break a case.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
To be successful, lawyers need to be well-rounded. It’s not enough to know the law; you must broaden your knowledge in various subjects and sharpen your linguistic skills.
6. Adaptability in Law
Jethmalani’s approach to learning from younger lawyers highlights his adaptability in a constantly changing legal landscape. Despite his long career, he recognized that law evolves with society, and staying informed is crucial.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Adaptability is key in law. As legal systems change with societal, technological, and global shifts, being flexible and willing to learn from all sources—no matter your experience level—is essential for long-term success.
7. The Power of Persuasion
Ram Jethmalani’s ability to weave history, philosophy, science, and logic into his courtroom arguments made him a master of persuasion. His focus on commanding the language and constructing multi-dimensional arguments helped him win cases that seemed difficult.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Persuasion is a lawyer’s most powerful tool. It’s not just about knowing the law but about convincing others—judges, juries, and clients—by building compelling, well-rounded arguments that appeal to both logic and emotion.
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8. Commitment to Social Justice
Jethmalani’s willingness to represent clients for free or at a nominal fee underscores his deep commitment to social justice. He believed that the law should serve the poor and marginalized, not just those who could afford it.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Law isn’t just a profession—it’s a means to create social impact. A commitment to using your skills to fight for justice, even for those who cannot pay, is a noble aspect of the legal field. The law should be a tool for equality, not a privilege for the few.
9. Courage to Defend the Underdog
Ram Jethmalani’s career is filled with examples of him defending unpopular and controversial figures. Whether it was notorious criminals or politically sensitive cases, he believed that everyone deserves a fair trial, and he took on cases others shied away from.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Courage is critical in law. Defending the underdog, especially in high-profile or difficult cases, requires a lawyer to be bold. As a lawyer, you must be prepared to face public scrutiny and criticism while standing by the principles of justice and fairness.
10. Constantly Challenge Norms
Ram Jethmalani was known for challenging norms, both in court and in society. He was vocal about his opinions, questioned authority, and wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo when he believed it was necessary.
Lesson for Aspiring Lawyers:
Never be afraid to challenge the norms when justice is at stake. Questioning established practices or interpretations of the law can lead to breakthroughs in cases or even reforms in the legal system. Be bold, inquisitive, and unafraid to stand apart when it’s the right thing to do.
FAQs About Ram Jethmalani
Ram Jethmalani was a prominent Indian lawyer and politician, known for his fearless advocacy and handling of several high-profile cases. He also served as India’s Law Minister and Member of Parliament.
He was known for his bold defense in controversial cases, his expertise in criminal law, and his willingness to represent clients regardless of public opinion.
Ram Jethmalani represented several high-profile clients, including Harshad Mehta, L.K. Advani in the Jain Hawala case, Asaram Bapu, Manu Sharma in the Jessica Lal murder case, and underworld don Haji Mastan.
Some key lessons include the importance of continuous learning, dedication, integrity, upholding justice, and the courage to defend difficult cases.
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