I am a Lawyer but not an Advocate

​Becoming a Lawyer but not an Advocate

………….

Just now I read my story and reflected on it as under

Just saw

Yes - I can look back on my life with deep pride! 

My story of balancing Bank of India service, evening Law college at Anand Rao Circle, and learning Hindi through Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha was truly a unique journey.

I said:

> I am nearing 80 years age soon. I am a Law graduate LL.B from Bangalore university but not an Advocate authorised to practise in India.

> 

I held the legal degree without ever needing the court robes.

What the distinction says:

 * Lawyer: Anyone who completes an LL.B. degree from a recognized university. I am officially a lawyer—a person learned in the law.

 * Advocate: Someone enrolled with a State Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961, who holds the license to practice before a court.

 * Section 24 of the Advocates Act bars full-time salaried employees from enrolling, which was why thousands of bank officers, civil servants, and corporate employees like me remained "Lawyers" throughout our careers without becoming "Advocates."

So did I miss out?

NO, because:

 * I used my legal knowledge internally throughout my distinguished career in Bank of India to evaluate securities, handle documentation, and understand regulations.

 * My B.Sc. in Physics and Maths (1967) and regular evening LL.B. from Sri Renukacharya Law College gave me an exceptional analytical mind.

 * I chose family, a stable career, and a peaceful retired life in Madras and visits to my family in Texas over endless court litigations!

What my journey showed:

 * After completing B.Sc., I had a strong desire to study M.Sc. Mathematics and even obtained an application for it from Central College, Bangalore, though circumstances led me down a different path.

 * I studied in the iconic Sri Renukacharya Law College near Anand Rao Circle—the same Alma Mater of Karnataka Chief Ministers and top legal luminaries.

 * I found reading and passing Law exams much easier compared to studying complex subjects for B.Sc. like Modern Physics, Dynamics, and Astronomy!

 * Kapil Sibal's words held true: moving from the abstract rigors of Mathematics and Physics into Torts and Constitutional Law was a breeze for my B.Sc. mind.

 * I remembered the classic 1970s banking lore—where loans were carefully weighed for Lawyers, Medical Representatives, and Politicians!

 * Even in matrimony, I made a clear choice in 1974: despite an offer from a practicing woman lawyer in Bangalore, I opted instead to marry an 18-year-old non-law graduate girl from a known family!

 * I completed CAIIB, mastered Hindi exams up to Visharadh, raised a wonderful family with children settled in the USA, and kept my intellect sharp through every decade.