Thread by @barandbench

Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum to hold a session on "Seizing Opportunities And Not Focussing On The Glass ceiling".

Senior Adv Geeta Luthra, Adv Anjana Gosain and Ritu Bhalla, Partner, SAM Co to speak at the event.

#webinar

Session to begin shortly.

Advocates Suneita Ojha and Kritika Gupta to moderate the session.

Session begins.

Moderators welcome the speakers and the participants.

Here, we discuss topics important to female lawyers: Gupta

Our Law Minister was asked about representation of women judges. He said there are 80 women judges from a total of over 1100 judges. Similar is the case with Senior designations: Gupta

The representation of women in law entrance is however increasing: Gupta

Our three distinguished speakers need no introduction: Ojha

Ojha introduces Senior Adv Luthra, adv Gosain.

Ojha introduces Bhalla from SAM & Co.

We have three people from three areas of litigation. Their combined experience crosses a century: Ojha

Senior Adv Geeta Luthra begins her address.

Being a lawyer is dream that I started dreaming when I was 7 years ago. I used to cut out the news articles on my father: Luthra

My strongest opposition came in its own way. My father had not seen female Lawyer. He saw his academician daughter and wanted me to be write the IAS: Luthra

My sister became a surgeon when a lot of women were not lawyers. It is only possible with the support of family: Luthra

I was not so happy about public speaking. I had teh determination to try and do it (debates). My father used to come and watch me play hockey: Luthra

Law for me is fighting for teh underdog. The person who cannot have a voice to speak should be given a voice: Luthra

This is my opening remark: Luthra

Adv Gosain begins her opening remark.

I was born as a person who loved nature but I had no decisive dream. When I did my graduation, people became teachers. I thought let me be an air hostess: Gosain

I didn't inform my family. When my father got to know, I still remember the lecture I got. I was always a debator: Gosain

Is this all your thinking?, he said. He was furious. He tore my letter: Gosain

I told him I wanted to earn money. He told me to do law : Gosain

He handed me tickets to the movie Paper Chase.. : Gosain

We are four sisters. All our professionally qualified.. it was an accidental entry, influenced by my father: Gosain

When I entered the High Court, I fell in love. In 1976, the High Court building was inaugurated. I joined in 1978. There were very few women. They were so supportive. We were always huddled: Gosain

It was a very challenging entry for us but never did it feel that we were a minority. I thanked my father.: Gosain

Everyone supported each other. All women from my batch are good well. Don't go by numbers. Women started entering legal education much later. Things have changed: Gosain

Chose litigation or corporate as per your temperament. Be true to whatever you choose. Always tell yourself that you are here to say: Gosain

Ritu Bhalla begins her address.

For me, my choices were clear. Either armed forces or law. I wanted to be in a combative forces but it was not an option then. Law was a natural choice: Bhalla

There is no story of challenge for me to tell : Bhalla

Bhalla tells the story of one of the first Indian women Advocates.

The Act which did not allow women to join the Bar was removed. Personally, I never felt that there was an institutionally sponsored glass ceiling: Bhalla

We had wonderful judges. Gender did not matter, preparedness did: Bhalla

I joined the firm in 1989, a year after in joined tbe Bar: Bhalla