Women have made great strides in the legal profession in India, overcoming gender barriers to rise to the top of their field. This article spotlights the ten most accomplished and influential female lawyers currently practicing in the country. Their successes demonstrate that women can thrive in the courtroom and hold their own against male colleagues. The extraordinary achievements of these legal trailblazers serve as an inspiration for all aspiring young women considering a career in law. Though women still face challenges in the male-dominated Indian legal system, the accomplishments of these exceptional lawyers prove that glass ceilings can be shattered. Their stories deserve to be told to encourage future generations of women to aim high and fulfill their potential.
Table of Content
Top 10 Female Lawyers in India
Here is a list of inspiring female lawyers from across India who have greatly helped to improve the country’s justice system. They broke through barriers and did not listen when told women could not be lawyers.
Indira Jaising
Indira Jaising was born on June 3, 1940, in Bombay, India. She grew up during a time when few women pursued careers as lawyers. But Indira was determined to break gender barriers. After graduating from University of Bombay in 1962 (now University of Mumbai), she started her law career working under famous lawyers like Ram Jethmalani. Indira was passionate about using the law to fight for justice. Her early experiences shaped her to become one of India’s most renowned human rights lawyers. Despite obstacles, Indira never gave up on her dream of succeeding in the male-dominated legal profession.
Professional History:
- She started her career as a junior to a leading lawyer like Ram Jethmalani in 1966.
- Became the first woman to be appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in 2009.
- Founded the Lawyers Collective in 1981 along with her husband to provide legal aid.
Landmark Cases:
- Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997): Indira Jaising was instrumental in the legal battle that led to the landmark judgment in the Vishaka case. The Supreme Court of India, in response to a petition filed by women’s rights groups, laid down guidelines to prevent and address sexual harassment of women in the workplace. The guidelines, commonly known as the Vishaka Guidelines, set the foundation for addressing workplace sexual harassment in India.
- Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018): Indira Jaising played a key role in the legal fight for the decriminalization of homosexuality in India. The Supreme Court, in this case, struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized consensual homosexual acts. The judgment was a historic step towards recognizing and upholding the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in India.
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014): Indira Jaising was involved in this case, which resulted in a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court recognizing transgender individuals as the third gender. The court affirmed their rights and directed the government to take various affirmative actions to ensure the welfare and inclusion of transgender people in society.
Pinky Anand
Pinky Anand was born in 1959 in Delhi, India. From a young age, she was determined to have a career as a lawyer. After graduating from Delhi University in 1982, Pinky started working under famous lawyer Soli Sorabjee. As a woman, it was challenging for Pinky to succeed in the male-dominated legal profession. But she never let gender barriers discourage her from pursuing her dreams. Her confidence and work ethic paved the way for her to become one of India’s most renowned female lawyers. Pinky’s early perseverance shaped her into the skilled lawyer she is today.
Professional History:
- Started practice under Soli Sorabjee in 1982.
- She was appointed as the Additional Solicitor General of India in 2014.
- Appointed as Senior Advocate by Delhi High Court in 2007.
Landmark Cases:
- Citizens for Green Doon vs. UOI: Successfully defended the Union of India in a challenge to the Chardham project that involved the construction of 900 km of all-weather road for connecting the four Hindu shrines.
- Constitutional right of freedom and expression for South Indian Actress Khushboo. Supreme Court upheld their rights in a path-breaking judgment and further, quashed 21 cases of defamation.
Karuna Nundy
Karuna Nundy was born in 1974 in New Delhi, India. From childhood, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer and advocate for human rights. After studying law at Cambridge University, Karuna started practicing at the Supreme Court of India in 1998. As a young female lawyer, she faced challenges in a male-dominated profession. However, Karuna was determined to use the law as a tool for social change. Her compassion and strong sense of justice drove her to take on public interest cases. Karuna’s early experiences shaped her into one of India’s foremost lawyers fighting for constitutional rights and liberties.
Professional History:
- Started practice at the Supreme Court in 1998.
- Specializes in constitutional law and human rights, and is also known for her work in Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
- Frequently provides pro bono legal services.
Landmark Cases:
- Ms. Nundy’s legal work includes contributing to the 2013 ‘Anti-Rape Laws’, and the Right to Food Act’. It further included fighting for the rights of the victims of the Bhopal gas leak tragedy.
- Nundy was consulted during the process of the preparation of the Verma Committee Report that was constituted by the government to review India’s Anti Rape Laws. Though the Report did not meet with much success initially, it was a precursor to the efforts that brought about the passing of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013– ” The anti-rape bill”.
Meneka Guruswamy
Menaka Guruswamy was born in 1971 in New Delhi, India. From a very young age, she was driven to fight for human rights and social justice. After graduating from Bangalore’s National Law School in 1993, Menaka started practicing law in India’s Supreme Court in 1996. As a female lawyer, she faced gender bias in the legal profession. But Menaka persevered and established herself as a leading constitutional lawyer. Her empathy and sharp legal intellect made her an unrivaled advocate for civil liberties. Menaka’s early determination to use the law as an instrument for upholding human rights set the stage for her acclaimed career defending freedom and equality.
Professional History:
- Started practicing at Supreme Court in 1996.
- Specializes in constitutional law, and human rights law.
- Teaches law at West Bengal National University.
Landmark Cases:
- In 2018, Guruswamy represented petitioners in the historic Section 377 case in the Supreme Court, where a five-judge constitution bench unanimously decriminalized homosexuality.
Vrinda Grover
Vrinda Grover was born in 1960 in New Delhi, India. From a young age, she was deeply disturbed by injustice and inequality. After graduating in law from Delhi University in 1982, Vrinda started her career as a human rights lawyer in 1987. As a woman, she faced challenges entering the male-dominated legal profession. But Vrinda was unwavering in her commitment to use the law to protect the oppressed. Her empathy and tireless advocacy laid the early foundations for her acclaimed career as one of India’s foremost human rights lawyers. Vrinda’s early experiences drove her lifelong fight for justice.
Professional History:
- Started practice as a human rights lawyer in 1987.
- Founded human rights organization Multiple Action Research Group in 1990.
- Appointed as a member of the Upper House of Parliament in 2011.
Landmark Cases:
- Grover has appeared for the victims in prominent cases such as the Soni Sori rape-torture case, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, 1987 Hashimpura police killings, 2004 Ishrat Jahan case, and the 2008 anti-Christian riots in Kandhamal.
- She had made major contributions towards the drafting of the 2013 Criminal Law Amendment to the law against sexual assault; the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010, legislation for protection from Communal and Targeted Violence.
Rebecca John
Rebecca John was born in 1958 in Kerala, India. From a very young age, she was passionate about social justice. After graduating in law from Delhi University in 1980, Rebecca started practicing criminal law in 1983. As a woman lawyer, she faced gender bias in the male-dominated profession. But Rebecca persevered, driven by her strong morals and desire to defend fundamental rights. She quickly established herself as a principled lawyer, taking on controversial cases. Rebecca’s early determination to uphold civil liberties laid the foundations for her long career as an acclaimed human rights advocate.
Professional History:
- Started practice at Delhi High Court in 1983.
- Known for expertise in criminal law and prisoners’ rights.
- Served as a member of various law reform committees.
Landmark Cases:
- In 2017, she represented the juvenile convicted in the December 16 gang rape case. His conviction was upheld but the sentence was reduced from 3 years to about 2 months already served.
- John has appeared in high-profile cases such as the Hawala scam case of 1996, the case about the Anti-Sikh riots of 1984, and the Hashimpura Massacre of 1986.
Zia Mody
Zia Mody was born in 1956 in Mumbai, India. From a young age, she aspired to be a successful lawyer. After graduating in law from Cambridge University in 1978, Zia returned to India determined to make her mark in the legal field. As a woman, she encountered gender bias working in a male-dominated profession. But Zia persevered and rose to the top with hard work and dedication. She co-founded her law firm AZB & Partners in 2004. Zia’s early ambition and resilience paved the way for her esteemed career as one of India’s most influential corporate lawyers.
Professional History:
- Co-founded law firm AZB & Partners in 2004.
- Serves on the board of various major corporations.
- Named as one of India’s most powerful businesswomen.
Landmark Cases:
- In 2018, she defended ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar before an inquiry panel investigating charges of quid-pro-quo in a loan extended to the Videocon group. Kochhar resigned in October 2018.
- Recently in 2022, Mody represented US short seller Hindenburg Research in the legal tussle between Hindenburg and Adani Group over allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud against Adani.
Sudha Bharadwaj
Sudha Bharadwaj was born in 1961 in Massachusetts, USA. From a young age, she was inspired to fight injustice and inequality. After earning a law degree in Bangalore in 2000, Sudha started practicing law in Chhattisgarh in 2002. She faced challenges as a woman lawyer and activist in a male-dominated field. But Sudha was undeterred in her mission to use the law to empower the oppressed. She co-founded a labor union and provided legal aid to workers, farmers, and minorities. Sudha’s early experiences shaped her into a dedicated human rights defender in Chhattisgarh.
Professional History:
- Started legal practice in Chhattisgarh in 2002.
- Founded Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha workers’ union.
- Arrested in 2018 on allegations of Maoist links.
Other:
- Sudha Bharadwaj has been in jail for almost three years in what is mostly referred to as the Bhima Koregaon case. Of the 16 human rights defenders arrested in this case, 13 were stuck in jail with only Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao being granted bail.
Flavia Agnes
Flavia Agnes was born in 1953 in Mumbai, India. From a young age, she was moved by the injustices faced by women in society. After earning a law degree in 1974, Flavia started advocating for women’s rights and legal reforms. As a female lawyer, she encountered resistance in a male-dominated profession. But Flavia persevered, determined to use the law as an instrument to uplift women. She founded the organization Majlis in the 1990s to provide legal aid to abused women. Flavia’s early experiences as a women’s rights crusader shaped her lifelong fight for gender justice.
Professional History:
- Founded the organization Majlis in 1990 to provide legal aid to women.
- A pioneer in legal reforms for the protection of women’s rights.
- Appointed to the Sachar Committee in 2005.
Landmark Cases:
- Shah Bano Case (1985) : Flavia Agnes was involved in the aftermath of the Shah Bano case, where she campaigned against the regressive changes made to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. The case raised issues related to maintenance for divorced Muslim women.
Meenakshi Lekhi
Meenakshi Lekhi was born in 1968 in New Delhi, India. From childhood, she aspired to be a lawyer and fight for justice. After graduating in law from Delhi University in 1990, Meenakshi started practicing at the Supreme Court. As a young female lawyer, she faced challenges in a male-dominated profession. But Meenakshi worked hard to prove herself through her skills and commitment to upholding rights. She took on cases for victims of tragedies like the 1984 riots. Meenakshi’s early determination to succeed despite obstacles paved the way for her legal career and political journey.
Professional History:
- Started practicing law in the Supreme Court in 1990.
- Served as Additional Solicitor General of India 2014-2017.
- Elected as Member of Parliament from New Delhi constituency in 2014.
Other:
- Meenakshi Lekhi has been involved in various legal and political activities, and her contributions have been more prominently associated with her role as a politician and parliamentarian. She has been vocal on issues related to law, justice, and women’s rights.
Note: The information provided is sourced from various websites and collected data; if discrepancies are identified, kindly reach out to us through comments for prompt correction.