This is a guest blog from attorney, Amarbir Singh Shergill, a Private Legal Practitioner in the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh, India since 2019. He earned his B.A.LLB (Hons.) and LLM (Criminology) from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. His website, The Half Said Blog, is a space where he “confront[s] the difficult, the unspoken, and the complex issues that shape our lives but rarely get the attention they deserve from mental health & wellbeing and societal issues to love & relationships.”

INTRODUCTION

Millions of lawyers in India rush to court every day in the hope that today will be different, praying to their respective deities that a client will walk through their door—if they are privileged enough to have a chamber—or simply bump into someone needing legal advice. And each day, a majority of them return home with the hope that perhaps tomorrow will be different, repeating the same exercise of faith in perpetuity.

This routine of endless hope is not just a professional challenge but an emotional burden. It is the slow yet sure realization that their aspirations might never materialize. The Indian legal system, festered with rewards for the privileged and resourceful, amplifies this harsh reality. This realization itself triggers a spiral of doubt, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and mental health challenges.

REWARDING PRIVILIGE VERSUS MERIT

As a fresh graduate from law school, I was full of zeal to aid the delivery of justice and use the courtroom to make law and justice accessible to those in need. Guided by principles such as “the law is equal to all,” I toiled during my initial years as a Junior Associate, holding onto the hope that my time would come.

Long working days were the norm. Often working for a minimum of 12 hours, I would stagger home to my rented accommodation, too tired to arrange dinner at times. Despite my efforts, it was evident that my professional value far outweighed my remuneration.

The hope of achieving success through hard work began to falter as I confronted the reality of the deeply ingrained nepotism and preferential treatment that permeates the legal profession. Sons and daughters of second- and third-generation lawyers or judges were effortlessly granted opportunities. My unwavering conviction to work hard gave way to doubts, leading to an internal battle of low self-esteem and self-worth.

This discrepancy in opportunity raises profound questions about equity in the profession. Does merit even stand a chance? And if not, what does this signify for the countless lawyers who do not come from privilege?

GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE COMPARISON TRAP

When nepotism and preferential treatment dominate a profession, comparisons become almost inevitable. The legal field in India often demands decades of relentless effort to achieve even moderate success. Yet, for some, progress appears effortless, their trajectories boosted by their familial connections.

This disparity can be crushing. Watching peers—once classmates or batchmates—ascend the success ladder almost overnight can crumble your will. The all-important question, “Am I on the right track?” becomes a constant, haunting refrain.

I found myself ensnared in this comparison trap. Everyone around me seemed like a competitor. The fear of judgment and the perception of falling behind created a downward spiral, one where reduced effort fueled the belief that hard work was futile. It’s a cycle that erodes both productivity and mental well-being, creating a toxic loop of self-doubt and stagnation.

THE SUPERIORITY COMPLEX

“Money attracts money. Fame attracts fame. Even if it’s fake.” This harsh reality defines much of Indian society, and the legal profession is no exception.

Professional relationships are often transactional, built on an unspoken rule: portray hyper-success and you’ll attract favor. Young lawyers, eager to establish themselves, are often forced to play this game of pretense, projecting an image of success they have yet to achieve.

This charade fosters a superiority complex among those who succeed within this framework. Junior Associates are viewed as mere tools to get work done, while clients measure worth by appearances rather than merit. Witnessing this unfold daily led to an identity crisis for me. The question “Do I have to conform to this game of pretend as well?” loomed large.

In a system where appearances outweigh authenticity, young lawyers are forced into a constant performance—playing roles in courtrooms, in client meetings, and even within their own peer groups. This persistent role-playing creates cognitive dissonance, as the gap between one’s real self and the projected self grows wider.

THE OVER-COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE PROFESSION

Once a noble pursuit, the legal profession has increasingly become a business. Touts and intermediaries treat justice as a commodity, with commissions and under-the-table deals becoming the norm.

Referrals, case allocations, and even basic legal processes often hinge on the question, “What’s in it for me?” With commission rates as high as 50%, many young lawyers struggle to make ends meet. Rising living costs and stagnant earnings exacerbate this challenge, creating a precarious financial situation for many.

This over-commercialization not only affects one’s livelihood but also corrodes the very essence of justice. When legal services are reduced to transactions, the ideal of fairness and equality under the law becomes an illusion.

This environment creates a sense of helplessness. You begin to question whether you are part of a profession or a trade. And when even honesty and ethical conduct start feeling like weaknesses rather than strengths, the mental toll becomes undeniable.

THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL

With odds stacked against them, young lawyers in India face immense psychological pressure. The relentless grind of the profession—combined with systemic inequities, financial instability, and social comparison—takes a significant toll on mental health. Research highlights why lawyers are prone to these struggles.

The constant need to prove oneself, to hustle harder, to endure longer hours without acknowledgment or reward, chips away at one’s mental resilience. It isn’t just about burnout from overworking—it’s about burnout from being unseen, unheard, and undervalued.

The emotional toll isn’t just limited to the workplace; it bleeds into personal relationships. Lawyers often carry the stress of their profession home, straining their interactions with family and friends. Sleep disorders, emotional exhaustion, and even substance abuse are increasingly common among legal professionals.

TOWARDS A SOLUTION

The mental health crisis within the Indian legal profession is not an isolated issue; it’s a systemic challenge deeply rooted in culture, tradition, and structural inefficiencies. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-dimensional approach—one that doesn’t just focus on individual coping mechanisms but also targets the very systems that perpetuate these problems. Below are detailed solutions that could create meaningful change within the profession:

1. Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health in the Legal System

The legal profession thrives on the perception of toughness, resilience, and an unwavering ability to handle pressure. Conversations around mental health are often dismissed as signs of weakness or fragility. This cultural barrier must be dismantled.

• Mental Health Awareness Campaigns: Law firms, bar associations, and legal institutions must conduct regular workshops and seminars to educate lawyers about mental health issues, warning signs, and coping strategies.
• Anonymous Support Systems: Hotlines or anonymous mental health counselling services specifically tailored for legal professionals can provide safe spaces for seeking help.
• Role Models Sharing Their Struggles: Senior lawyers and judges opening up about their mental health challenges can set powerful examples and make it acceptable for younger lawyers to seek help without shame.
• Law schools, too, play a crucial role. Mental health awareness must become an integral part of legal education. Students should be taught stress management techniques, emotional intelligence, and the importance of self-care before they step into the high-pressure world of law practice.

2. Transparent Hiring and Merit-Based Opportunities

The systemic nepotism in the legal industry is one of the most significant contributors to professional dissatisfaction and emotional distress among young lawyers.

• Mentorship Programs: Establish structured mentorship programs where experienced lawyers mentor fresh graduates, regardless of their social or familial background. This can bridge the gap created by privilege.
• Merit-Based Hiring: Legal firms and chambers should adopt transparent recruitment processes that prioritize skills, knowledge, and experience over familial connections.
• Internship Equality: Internships should be accessible to deserving candidates through centralized platforms, ensuring that opportunities are not hoarded by those with influential connections.

By leveling the playing field, the profession can ensure that young lawyers believe in the value of hard work and perseverance rather than feeling demoralized by an uneven system.

3. Financial Reforms to Prevent Exploitation

The financial strain on young lawyers is a pervasive issue. From unpaid internships to exploitative commission-based models, financial instability breeds anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion.

• Fair Compensation: Young lawyers must receive a living wage that reflects their contribution and dedication. Law firms must introduce fair salary structures with periodic reviews.
• Regulation of Referral Fees: The legal community must collectively address the unethical commission-based referral system that exploits young practitioners.
• Emergency Financial Aid Funds: Bar councils and associations can establish emergency funds to support lawyers facing severe financial crises.
  When young lawyers are financially secure, they can focus on building their careers without being distracted by survival anxieties.

4. The Role of Regulatory Bodies     

Bar councils and legal associations wield significant power and influence. They must take proactive measures to address the mental health crisis.

• Mandatory Mental Health Policies: Require all law firms to implement mental health policies, including regular check-ins and access to professional counseling services.
• Legal Aid for Lawyers: Provide subsidized mental health services for legal professionals through partnerships with mental health organizations.
• Whistleblower Protection: Ensure protection for lawyers who speak out against exploitative practices within their firms or institutions.

Accountability from governing bodies will ensure that change is not just performative but institutional.

The Legal System as It Should Be

The Indian legal profession mirrors many of society’s broader inequities, but within its demanding structure lies an urgent need for reform. Young lawyers shouldn’t have to sacrifice their mental well-being at the altar of success.

The path to change is neither easy nor immediate, but it begins with awareness, empathy, and collective effort. Until then, millions of lawyers will continue to ask themselves a simple but profound question: Is hope enough to carry us through?