Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal on Monday urged young women lawyers not to allow circumstances, expectations or others’ doubts to limit their achievements.
Addressing her farewell reference at the High Court, Justice Agarwal recalled that she had faced similar obstacles during her career. Reflecting on her career challenges, Justice Agarwal encouraged others not to let doubts or circumstances limit their ambitions, emphasizing that perseverance was the key to overcoming her own obstacles.
Justice Agarwal urged established women judges and lawyers to support younger colleagues, calling on them to mentor, guide, and empower those rising through the ranks to help them persevere.
Urging young members of the Bar to build strong professional habits, Justice Agarwal, emphasized the importance of exhaustive preparation, wide reading, active attentiveness, and humility in court.
Addressing legal professionals, Justice Agarwal noted that while professional success can take many forms and arrive at different times, a reputation built on integrity, hard work, and humility is a lawyer’s most enduring asset.
Justice Agarwal recalled beginning her legal career at the Allahabad High Court at a time when work was scarce and she was uncertain about where her career would lead.
Reflecting on her tenure, Justice Agarwal described the past three years as a turning point in her professional and personal growth and among the most challenging years of her life.
Reflecting on her tenure, she shared that facing challenges helped her stay grounded and resilient. Highlighting the High Court’s digital and paperless court initiatives, she emphasized that these reforms aimed to strengthen the court by institutionalizing operations rather than relying on individual personalities.
Gujarat Advocate General Kamal Trivedi highlighted that Justice Agarwal disposed of around 11,129 cases during her three years and two months as Chief Justice.
In her farewell remarks, Justice Agarwal expressed deep gratitude, stating that her time in Gujarat transformed her role from mere public service to feeling permanently woven into the fabric of the court. She ended by reminding members of the Bench and Bar that their individual contributions would form part of the High Court’s institutional legacy.
Concluding her address, Justice Agarwal reminded members of the legal community that positions and titles are temporary, emphasizing that their collective actions write the institution’s history and define the legacy left for future generations.
Justice Agarwal was elevated to the Supreme Court on Monday along with Chief Justices DK Upadhyaya and Aparesh Kumar Singh. She is the second woman judge, after Justice Bela M Trivedi, from the Gujarat High Court to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
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