Jai Mangalwadi

MY ROLE AS A LAWYER

"A lawyer is, in one sense, a symbol of modern civilization. Instead of letting two people settle their differences by force or violence, he stands in between them and promotes a settlement by reasoning and arguments; by exchange of words rather than by exchange of blows. To that extent a lawyer protects the people from aggressiveness and arbitrary quixotism by the authorities and s/he is thus the sentinel of freedom. As happens in any profession, be it medicine or law, some of those who are in the profession, may have disgraced it by their conduct and attitude. Nevertheless, the value of a profession is to be assessed by the important role it plays in the society. The legal profession from that point of view, well may be considered the noblest of professions..

However, as adjudication in courts tends to be expensive and tedious, a good number of people avoid courts and litigation, as any sensible man ought to. If two brothers rush to court to settle their differences, instead of arranging a settlement between themselves, it is a denial of love that ought to exist between them. Similarly rushing to the courts, even by members of a fellowship is a denial of the spirit of fellowship. Those who are bound by the love of Christ, should thus restrain themselves from turning at once to the court in any manner affecting the fellowship.

It is for this reason, and due to the fact that free legal assistance to the indigent and oppressed is one of the highest obligations a lawyer owes to the society, I chose a career in the field of law. In the role of a professional lawyer I sought to prevent rather than cure troubles, to help people discover the proper use of lawyer and to provide legal assistance to the Christian organizations active in the areas of human Rights and peace on Earth."