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- Author of the research
This was one of the winning submissions of the Open Data for Justice Challenge hosted by Agami.
Please look through the data before downvoting!
Also, the tag 'first generation lawyer' itself could be misleading. The privilege one carries being the son of a cabinet minister/chief minister is way more than the burden one faces being a first generation lawyer.
I am not saying that nepotism does not exist, it definitely plays a key role in High Court appointments and elevations but as the data shows, the elevation to the Supreme Court in most cases in primarily on merit while factors like relationships with SC/HC Judge/ Prominent persons in law do play a key role.
And while I think that luck and contacts play a role in everyone's life, asked a contact to get an internship, happened to work under somebody who took a shine to you and watched out for you etc, the level of hidden support multi-generational lawyers have must be immense, because they seem to be the only ones who make it to the SC!
BUT even if they are not from "justice" family ultimately those who get elevated have contacts and blessings from big families and chambers. By big families I mean the right circle. It is natural to have contacts with big lawyers and justice when you are 3rd or 4th generation. Not a big wonder. Infact, most established lawyers I know in my district are not even charmed by elevation to HC- not their children.
It was a shock for me. They text and have whatsapp conversations with most justices on Bench in HC. Altough, their is not much favoritism which I have seen but yes friendships are there. Justices are HOOMANS too haha. That helps in getting elevated ,getting designations and work on table but jot getting favorable orders. It is very very rare.
As far as justice banerjee is concerned her senior's spouse was a sitting justice in SC when she had joined practise in SC. You can research more like this.
For example a recent CJI whose grandfather and father both were lawyers made it directly to the Supreme Court in 2014 which coincides with his client's,a political minister now, discharge from CBI court in 2014 and the political party of his client coming to power in 2014.
Fact is there maybe few rare examples of first generation lawyers risen to the Bench purely on merit.Most have part of some aide or someone else's "plan" and only then made it. Sad state of things and bitter harsh reality
But what would also be helpful is numbers (either actual statistics or ballparks based on personal observation): how many SC judges are self-made, that is:
1. Don't have any first/second degree relatives who are SC/HC judges, Senior Advocates or otherwise lawyers with well-established practices
2. Don't have any first/second degree relatives who are influential politicians and could've plausibly given a significant leg-up (and material support)