On December 21, 2024, the 2nd Law Students State Convention at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, Hyderabad, turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences of my law school journey. Organized by the All India Lawyers Union (AILU) and the Students Federation of India, the event was a melting pot of ideas, inspiration, and connections, bringing together seasoned legal professionals and students from across Telangana.
Swapna and I started the day early, excited for what lay ahead. A call from Swamy, a fellow student at Padala Rama Reddi Law College (PRRLC), informed us of limited parking at the venue, so we opted for an auto. Arriving at 10:40 a.m., we found the event yet to begin. We were welcomed by ushers who guided us to the 2nd floor of the venue where the event was being held. It was nice to have people guide us that way instead of trying to figure out the way ourselves.
Senior Advocate PV Surendranath’s Opening Address #
The event began with an address by Senior Advocate PV Surendranath, who set the tone for the event. Speaking on the theme of contribution and secularity, he emphasized how legal professionals must be guardians of the secular fabric of India. There was a left leaning bias in his speech.
One line that struck me was:
“We cannot speak of the contribution of law without reflecting on the lack of secularity that we increasingly see around us.”
This observation challenged us to think critically about the intersection of law and society. His words served as a reminder of the immense responsibility lawyers bear in upholding justice and equality. As I am apolitical myself, I haven’t yet resonated with any view.
Dr. Mohan Gopal’s Keynote: Law, Economy, and Inequality #
Following Advocate Surendranath, Dr. Mohan Gopal, a celebrated jurist and former Vice-Chancellor of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), took the stage. His session was nothing short of a history lesson interwoven with thought-provoking observations on India’s socio-economic realities.
He began by recounting his time as a law student at Delhi University in the early 1970s, a tumultuous period in India’s political history. Joining in 1973 and graduating in 1976, Dr. Gopal described how the Emergency shaped his worldview. As the second National President of NSUI, succeeding the late Arun Jaitley, he often engaged in spirited debates with his peers. However, he resigned from his position when the Emergency was declared, saying:
“I couldn’t reconcile with what was happening in the country.”
He never entered politics again.
Dr. Gopal’s speech shifted to an analysis of India’s GDP figures, offering a sobering perspective:
“We might be 5th in the world in total GDP, but when it comes to GDP per capita, we drop to the 144th position. That’s something we need to discuss more seriously.”
He compared states like Uttar Pradesh to Brazil, Maharashtra and Bihar to Mexico, and Kerala to Peru, illustrating how stark regional disparities mirror global inequalities.
A Well Planned Lunch Break #
After Dr. Gopal’s session, we broke for lunch. The organisers provided a simple working lunch—a thoughtful gesture for students attending the event all day. While it wasn’t extravagant, the care and consideration behind it made it stand out.
It was during this period that people were able to meet each other and spend some time networking. I personally met over 50 law students during the day and got the contacts of over 30. With the exception of 3 students, most of them wanted to be in touch and get to know each other. We have joined a WhatsApp group and the verbal jousting has already begun on the same night.
Advocate Narra Srinivasa Rao’s Session #
The most anticipated session of the day was delivered by Advocate Narra Srinivasa Rao, the State Secretary of AILU Andhra Pradesh. He has over 25 years of experience and started practising in 1999. Titled “How to Become a Lawyer – From a Law School Student to a Lawyer,” his session combined practical advice with powerful anecdotes that left a lasting impression.
He opened with a question:
“What is law?”
To our surprise, no one could answer to his satisfaction. Smiling, he explained:
“Law is anything made by the sovereign, the State, i.e. the Legislature.”
He emphasised the importance of lifelong learning for lawyers, saying:
“Learn to earn, but remember that your responsibility is to do good for others as you do good for yourself.”
Advocate Narra shared two impactful cases he personally handled in the past year:
The Kadambari Jethwani Case
He described how actress Kadambari Jethwani and her family were unlawfully detained by senior IPS officers in Andhra Pradesh. Advocate Narra gathered the facts and presented them to the authorities, resulting in the suspension of three IPS officers as a result of this case.
“Justice served,” he declared, reminding us of the power of law to hold even the most powerful accountable.
He went on to mention that “courage” is one of the essential ingredients of an advocate. If you are courageous, you can fight. If you lack courage to even speak on stage, it will be a challenge in the future.
He emphasised the importance of picking up English and pushing yourself to speak every single day. Law is in English and you must learn to read, analyse, interpret and speak in English. He explained that he was from a Telugu medium background and he has filed over 1000 cases in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in 1 single year, a feat probably unmatched.
Many students are whiling away their valuable time on these platforms watching reels or shorts or something similar. There is no time for that.
To be a good lawyer, you need to invest 8-12 hours a day or more. A lot of time must be invested in doing research. You need to be able to narrate 20 judgments per statute from memory. On average, you must know over 200 judgments by the time you graduate law school. This is the bare minimum.
One need not compare oneself to students of NALSAR, all the dignitaries present here studied in ordinary law colleges and schools and have achieved great things.
The Wrongfully Jailed Bank Employee
In another case, a bank employee with a spotless track record was wrongfully jailed for over 200 days. Advocate Narra Srinivas Rao sent legal notices to ten individuals, demanding ₹10 crore in compensation. The bank eventually settled for ₹7.5 crore and reinstated the employee.
“That man was on the verge of suicide, but our job as advocates is to give clients hope and show them a way forward.”
He also emphasised that lawyers must be good psychologists, saying:
“You must give people courage. Without hope, there can be no justice.”
Just imagine the power of sending only a legal notice. No suit was filed. The bank admitted its mistake and agreed to pay up. This is the power that is wielded by advocates and great advocacy. A person who was on the verge of ending his life turned his life around because he met the right man at the right time.
As an advocate, you are more than just a lawyer, you must also instil courage among people.
Practical Advice from a Fresh Advocate #
A young advocate from Delhi University, who later pursued an LLM at NALSAR, shared practical advice about choosing the right senior. He himself had changed 3 seniors in 1 year, a fact that he was not proud of. He finally found a senior that was compatible to him.
He explained:
“It doesn’t matter how big their practice is. What matters is whether they have time for you, whether they mentor you, and whether they review your work.”
This was a crucial takeaway for students, standing on the cusp of our professional journeys. These tips from recent pass outs help.
My Moment on Stage #
Toward the end of the event, I had the opportunity to take the stage and share my thoughts and some feedback on the session. Reflecting on Advocate Srinivas Rao’s session, I thanked him for the session. I also spoke about my personal journey from the U.S. back to India and why I believe the future lies here.
“The glory days of America are behind it. The next 20 to 50 years belong to countries like India. The new billionaires, the new breakthroughs—they’ll be from here.”
It was a moment of pride to express my optimism for India’s growth and the role of lawyers in shaping its future.
STS Gladies v. Bar Council of India - Distance Education UG for Enrolment in the Bar #
The final speaker of the day concluded with an important update on the case of STS Gladies v. Bar Council of India. This case pertains to the denial of admission into LLB programs for those who have pursued their undergraduate degree in distance education. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the review petition, and the speaker urged us to keep tabs on its progress.
This case could potentially reshape access to legal education in India, and as law students, it’s our duty to stay informed about its developments.
Final Thoughts #
The 2nd Law Students State Convention was more than just a day of speeches. It was a space to reflect, learn, and connect with others who share the same passion for law and justice. From Senior Advocate PV Surendranath’s call for secularity to Dr. Mohan Gopal’s economic analysis, from Mr. Kolli Satya Narayana’s encouragement to Advocate Narra Srinivasa Rao’s extraordinary session on how to become a laweyr , every session offered something valuable.
Above all, it reinforced that law is not just a profession—it’s a responsibility. As future lawyers, we must be lifelong learners, advocates for justice, and, most importantly, beacons of hope for those who need it most.