Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave quits legal profession after 48 years

Dave, 70, began his legal practice in Gujarat in 1978 and moved to Delhi in the mid-80s to become a top lawyer in the Supreme Court. He was designated a senior advocate by the Supreme Court in 1998.

Asked about his decision, Dave told The Indian Express: “I really had a great run as a lawyer. I began with just Rs 250 a month and shared my first residence with a High Court peon. After some time you do feel that you have done enough. It’s better to leave at the peak rather than leave when things are going bad. I didn’t want to then enter the court at 75 or 80 with my hearing impaired and my eyes not very strong and my legs weak.”

Dave has thrice been President of the Supreme Court Bar. His father, Justice Arvind Dave, was a judge at the Gujarat High Court,

The senior counsel said he has other passions he would like to pursue. “Helping rural people in whatever way — housing, agriculture, education, something like that. Reading is my big passion, so is music, golf, travelling, and of course spending time with my family. I have four lovely grandchildren.”

He said the decision was “very easy”. “Once you start feeling that you have done enough or you have had enough in the profession and that there is nothing more that you can contribute,” he said.

Dave said: “I have done almost 500 matters pro bono and helped all kinds of people. I felt that now there is a younger generation of lawyers who are very good, they have taken over, young seniors and I am sure they will carry on the battle and help people.”

He said he spoke to his family before taking the decision. “They said wait for two years, complete 50. But I was not looking at a milestone.”

The senior counsel said he would continue to write opinion pieces, and might teach in colleges or write a book. “But I will definitely not be practicing. I will neither be appearing nor doing advisory work nor arbitrations,” he said.