Episode #86
From small town India to the Supreme Court: What It Takes to Succeed | Anupam Lal Das
What does it take for a first-generation lawyer from a small town to build a distinguished practice before the Supreme Court of India? In this episode of The Daily Lawyer Podcast, Jenna Krishnan speaks with Anupam Lal Das, Senior Advocate, about his journey from Hazaribagh to the country’s highest court, and the hard work, preparation and professional discipline that shaped his career. An “accidental lawyer” with no family background in the profession, Anupam Lal Das began his career handling trial-court matters before moving to Supreme Court practice, qualifying as an Advocate-on-Record and eventually being designated as a Senior Advocate. In this candid conversation, he discusses: • Breaking into the Supreme Court Bar as a first-generation lawyer • Why performance, not pedigree, ultimately determines recognition • What the Advocate-on-Record examination involves and why it matters • The importance of reading every brief from cover to cover • How to prepare for the most difficult question a judge may ask • His work on one of India’s earliest cybercrime matters under the Information Technology Act • The opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence in law • Why AI may assist lawyers and judges but cannot replace human judgment • The challenges facing arbitration and insolvency practice in India • How virtual hearings have improved transparency and accountability • The importance of being fair to the Court and truthful with clients • Practical advice for young lawyers building an independent practice His message to aspiring lawyers is direct: breaking the glass ceiling may be difficult, particularly for first-generation professionals, but once the opportunity arrives, you must be prepared to perform - every single day. And his enduring advice for courtroom lawyers? “Know your judge, know your judge, and know your judge.” Subscribe to The Daily Lawyer for honest, thoughtful conversations about law, leadership and the people shaping the profession. Connect with us: Contact: contactus@thedailylawyer.in Website: https://thedailylawyer.in/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailylawyerig/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-v-krishnan/ DISCLAIMER This podcast is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views and opinions expressed during the conversation are personal to the speakers and do not represent the official position of any court, institution, organisation, client or other entity. Nothing discussed in this episode constitutes legal advice or should be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified legal professional. Laws, judicial decisions and procedural requirements may change over time. Viewers should independently verify the applicable legal position and obtain professional advice for their specific circumstances. Watching or listening to this podcast does not create a lawyer-client relationship with the guest, host, The Daily Lawyer or any associated person or organisation. #TheDailyLawyer #AnupamLalDas #SupremeCourtOfIndia #SeniorAdvocate #AdvocateOnRecord #AORExam #FirstGenerationLawyer #LegalCareer #Litigation #CyberLaw #ArtificialIntelligence #Arbitration #IndianLaw #LawPodcast
