Mentorship and Skill Development for Junior Lawyers
I started as a first-generation lawyer with zero connections, so I know the struggle. I am building a bar where we break the 'senior-junior' wall and focus on real learning together.
I firmly believe there should be no "junior-senior business" in our profession. The only difference is experience, and my door is always open to share it. Here, I explain my philosophy that we are all equals, and my goal is to help our younger associates develop the confidence to navigate this profession and become even better than we are.
It is a myth that seniors are not accessible to juniors, and I intend to break that mold. My chambers are always open, and I welcome a good conversation. In this video, I share how much I learn from interacting with younger colleagues and why their experiences are valuable to us all.
Continuing the conversation on accessibility, I assure you that as a leader, I will be available for any problems related to the profession. While seniors may be busy in court, we are always there to offer advice that can go a long way. We must bridge the gap and encourage juniors to approach us without hesitation.
Judges have a judicial academy to upgrade their skills, but what do we as lawyers have? It has been my dream to establish a Lawyers' Academy, a formal training school where we can provide practical skills training, with senior lawyers and even judges sharing their expertise to elevate the entire bar.
Continuous learning is vital for our profession. As part of our commitment to academic growth, we started a monthly lecture series at the DHCBA, inviting judges and domain experts to share their knowledge. This video explains the thought behind this ongoing series, which aims to keep our members updated on new legal trends like ecology and climate law.
About this collection
Mentorship is not about formal gatekeeping; it is about accessibility. Whether you are navigating your first case at Tis Hazari or looking to upgrade your skills on niche topics like climate law, my chambers and the Delhi High Court Bar Association platforms are open to you. We focus on practical, actionable knowledge sharing rather than hierarchy, ensuring you get the guidance needed to build your confidence and your practice.
Breaking the 'Junior-Senior' Wall
There is a myth that seniors are not accessible. I intend to break that mold. In my practice, we do not do 'junior-senior drama.' If you are younger than me, you are a younger associate, not a subordinate. I believe the only difference between us is time and experience, and my door is always open—whether you want to discuss a case file or just need advice on navigating court culture. Har gareeb aadmi ke liye khada hona vakeel ka farz banta hai, and that duty extends to standing up for the next generation of lawyers too.
Practical Knowledge, Not Just Theory
We have started a monthly lecture series at the DHCBA, inviting High Court Judges and domain experts to bridge the gap between academic law and courtroom reality. We cover emerging fields like Digital Evidence and Ecology, ensuring you stay ahead of legal trends.
My Dream: A Lawyers' Academy
While judges have a formal training school, we lawyers are often left to figure things out on our own. My long-term goal is to establish a formal 'Lawyers' Academy'—a collaborative, cooperative space where we provide practical skills training. This is not about lectures; it is about demonstration, research methodology, and trial strategy. We have the collective talent in our bar to teach each other; we just need the structure to do it properly. If you are looking for guidance on professional growth or want to participate in our ongoing lecture series, let us talk.
Narayanan Hariharan
I am a lawyer first, and I remember what it was like to walk into court without a safety net. My goal is to make sure no young colleague feels they have to struggle in silence, whether that means sharing a cup of tea, offering advice, or pushing for better training facilities.
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