Assalam-o-Alaikum and Good Afternoon.
It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you-the young men and women who represent the future of Pakistan’s legal profession.
Each of you has chosen a noble yet demanding path. Law is not merely a subject to study or a career to pursue-it is a commitment to justice, a lifelong dialogue between conscience and society.
When I look at you, I see reflections of myself many years ago-curious, ambitious, sometimes uncertain-standing at the same threshold where learning meets responsibility.
Today, I want to share not just my story, but the lessons that time, failure, and perseverance have taught me-lessons that can help you map your own legal future with clarity and conviction.
My Journey in Law
When I began my career, I had no grand plan except a deep respect for my mentors-foremost among them my father, Mian Iqbal Hussain Kalanauri, Advocate Supreme Court.
He was more than a lawyer; he was a craftsman of justice, and his chamber was my first classroom.
He taught me that law is not about arguments; it’s about understanding people. Behind every case file lies a human story-of struggle, loss, and hope.
And that understanding of humanity must be at the heart of your practice.
Over the years, I have stood in countless courtrooms-from district courts to the Supreme Court-and trained thousands of lawyers, mediators, judges, and students.
Each experience reaffirmed one truth:
“A lawyer’s journey never ends-it evolves.”
You may begin as an apprentice, but if you remain a learner, you’ll always remain relevant.
Your Law School Years: The Foundation
Law school is the starting point of your journey, not the destination.
It gives you tools-reasoning, research, writing, and interpretation-but the trade you must learn yourself.
Grades and awards have their place, but what truly distinguishes a great lawyer is the ability to think critically, analyze deeply, and communicate clearly.
Train yourself to read beyond the lines-to question the purpose and philosophy of law, not just its procedure.
Remember: every great advocate is first a great student.
Stay curious. Read the classics. Study judgments not for citations but for principles. Learn how judges think-because understanding their reasoning teaches you how to argue better.
Building Your Legal Identity
The profession of law is vast-and so are the choices before you.
You may find your calling in:
- Litigation-standing fearlessly before the bench;
- Corporate law-shaping the commerce of nations;
- Arbitration or Mediation-resolving disputes beyond courtrooms;
- Academia and Policy-reforming laws and institutions; or
- Public service and judiciary-becoming the guardians of justice.
Whichever path you take, remember: your reputation is your currency.
It cannot be bought, borrowed, or rebuilt easily once lost.
Be known for your integrity, not for influence.
Clients, colleagues, and judges will forget many things about you, but never how honest or ethical you were.
“In the world of law, your name precedes your argument.”
Essential Skills for a Modern Lawyer
The profession is evolving rapidly. Knowledge of law alone is no longer sufficient.
To thrive, cultivate these essential skills:
- Research & Writing: Learn to draft precisely and argue persuasively.
- Communication & Advocacy: Clarity is power-simplicity often wins where rhetoric fails.
- Negotiation & Mediation: Understand that justice is not always about victory-sometimes it’s about resolution.
- Digital Literacy: The lawyer of tomorrow must understand technology-from e-courts to AI and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).
- Emotional Intelligence: A great lawyer knows not only the law but also the hearts of the people he represents.
- Ethics: Talent can take you to the courtroom, but integrity keeps you there.
The Role of Mentorship and Networking
No one becomes a lawyer alone. Every successful lawyer is the product of mentorship and humility.
Seek mentors-and when you find them, listen more than you speak.
Observe how they argue, how they manage clients, how they behave under pressure.
You will learn that true advocacy is not aggression-it is discipline, patience, and respect.
Build a network of colleagues and friends who inspire you. Join professional institutions such as CIArb, IMI, CMC, or GSAA. Attend seminars, write articles, and participate in moot courts.
Networking is not about collecting business cards-it’s about collecting wisdom.
And one day, when you have learned enough, become a mentor yourself.
The profession grows only when knowledge is shared.
Challenges in the Legal Profession
Our system faces many challenges:
- Delay in justice and procedural complexity,
- Commercialization of advocacy,
- Gender disparity and lack of inclusivity,
- Ethical compromises for short-term gain.
These challenges may discourage you-but remember, reform begins with you.
“Courage is not in winning every case-it is in standing for what is right, even when you stand alone.”
You are not just the lawyers of tomorrow; you are the reformers who will define what justice means in this century.
The Evolving Legal Landscape
The world you’re entering is not the one I began in.
Today, law intersects with technology, commerce, climate, and human rights.
Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, and cross-border disputes are transforming how justice is delivered.
Alternative Dispute Resolution-arbitration and mediation-is becoming the norm.
We are entering an era where law has no borders.
The modern lawyer must therefore be:
- Technologically informed,
- Culturally intelligent,
- Morally grounded, and
- Globally connected.
Your challenge is to adapt-without losing your core values.
Advice to Young Lawyers
Let me leave you with some personal reflections:
- Be humble in learning-knowledge is endless.
- Be fearless in advocacy-but respectful in conduct.
- Build your reputation before your income.
- Read at least one law daily, and apply it in your thoughts and discussions.
- Reflect on one judgment every week.
- Never compromise your ethics for convenience.
- Remember, success in law is not about how fast you rise, but how long you endure.
“Don’t just practice law-transform justice.”
Closing Reflections
My dear students,
The robe you aspire to wear is not a symbol of power; it is a pledge of service.
Serve the truth, defend the voiceless, and uphold the dignity of your profession.
Let your advocacy be guided by principle, your success by purpose, and your legacy by integrity.
May you find mentors who inspire you, challenges that shape you, and victories that humble you.
And may your journey in law not just lead you to the courtroom-but to the cause of justice itself.
Thank you, and may Allah guide your path with wisdom, patience, and light.