Big law firms should hire graduates from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities also: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana

Law firms should reconsider the practice of recruiting fresh law graduates from Tier 1 cities and select universities alone and should expand their recruitment to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well, Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said on Wednesday. .The CJI lauded the role played by law firms in providing economic mobility to first generation lawyers but said that restricted recruitment policy followed by firms meant that many capable young lawyers miss out on opportunities."Major law firms tend to go only to Tier 1 cities and select universities for recruitment. In the process, many young talented lawyers, despite interest and willingness, are left out of the process. There are diamonds in the rough everywhere," he said. He, therefore, urged law firms to recruit from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities."Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are becoming hubs of commercial activities. This would necessarily lead to transactions and disputes. Law firms must find local talent to handle these clients," he said. The CJI was speaking at the launch of a coffee table book by Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) on profiles of member firms. "There are diamonds in the rough everywhere. I would urge you all to take up initiatives to ensure inclusivity and realize full potential of our human resources. After all, diversity brings wide-ranging opinions to the table. A diverse team can provide more equitable and holistic solutions,” the CJI opined.The CJI in his speech also emphasised the need for firms to do more pro bono work.“There is a need to do more pro bono work and to reach out to those who are inhibited from reaching out. When it comes to fulfilling our Constitutional aspirations, we all must do our bit," he said..During his address, the CJI pointed out that law firms have been at the forefront of the Indian economy but there continues to be a widely prevailing misconception that law firms serve only the rich and remain aloof from problems faced by society..The need of the hour, he said, is to remove this perception and emulate law firms across the world that are taking up several social causes and are actively engaged in providing justice to the needy.He also batted for increasing diversity in law firms urging firms to focus on retaining more women and incorporating institutional changes necessary to make this possible..Concluding his address, the CJI touched upon one last area which he said law firms must pay particular attention to - ethics. “We all are custodians of a very rich tradition. We must pursue our chosen path with utmost integrity,” he said..The event was also attended by Attorney General KK Venugopal and Senior Advocate Fali S Nariman, SILF President Lalith Bhasin and AZB founder Zia Mody.