Justice Mishra inspires new law students at SOA orientation program

Bhubaneswar, Sept 23: The legal profession is increasingly attracting bright students due to its diverse career opportunities and recognition as a prestigious vocation, stated Mr. Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra, Judge of the Orissa High Court. Speaking at the 14th Orientation Program for the new law students admitted for the 2024-25 session at the SOA National Institute of Law (SNIL), he emphasized that the foremost quality of a legal practitioner is to be a gentleman, as it is a noble profession.

Justice Mishra reflected on the profession's roots, highlighting that it was once focused on serving society and delivering justice to the underprivileged, rather than merely providing a livelihood. He noted that integrity and dedication to the rule of law were paramount in those earlier days.

During the event, presided over by Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, and featuring a welcome address by Prof. S.A.K. Azad, Dean of SNIL, Justice Mishra encouraged students to take advantage of their distinguished faculty and the modern learning resources available through technology. He advised them to concentrate on their studies over the next few years to fully understand the opportunities within the legal field, which now include options in both the bar and corporate sectors.

Prof. Nanda underscored the societal perception of lawyers and judges as symbols of wisdom, urging students to engage in critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning to enhance their legal knowledge. Prof. Azad remarked that the orientation marks the start of an exciting journey for the students, aimed at fostering critical thinking and a deep understanding of the justice system. The session concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Akash Trikha, Associate Professor at the institute.