Five Decades at the Bar: Advocate Sarfraz Ahmed Choudhary Salutes A.K. Sawhney’s Legacy of Law, Leadership and Integrity
JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 3: Advocate Sarfraz Ahmed Choudhary has paid tribute to Senior Advocate A. K. Sawhney on the completion of his 50 years at the Bar, describing the milestone as a remarkable journey of perseverance, professional excellence, leadership, continuous learning and service to the legal profession.
Choudhary, who has been associated with Sawhney Law Associates since April 2022, said he feels honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to work under the guidance and mentorship of Senior Advocate Sawhney, whom he respectfully refers to as “Bade Sir”.
Reflecting on his association with the senior lawyer, Choudhary said the experience had enabled him to learn not only the principles of law but also the practical dimensions of advocacy, including courtcraft, meticulous preparation, courtroom discipline, patience, professional conduct and respect for the Bench and the Bar.
The Pen as a Symbol of Knowledge and Responsibility
Recalling one of his most cherished moments, Choudhary said Senior Advocate Sawhney presented him with pens on the occasion of completing five decades in the legal profession.
While presenting the pen, Sawhney conveyed a message that, according to Choudhary, left a lasting impression: “The pen is mightier than the sword; truth, reason and the law ultimately prevail over force, intimidation and injustice.”
Choudhary said the words represented far more than a quotation, describing them as a lasting lesson in both life and the legal profession.
“For others, a pen may simply be an instrument of writing. For me, the pen given by my Senior represents knowledge, responsibility, courage, integrity and the duty of an advocate to stand for truth and justice,” he said.
He added that the real strength of a lawyer lies not in force or intimidation, but in the ability to read, reason, argue and persuade through the power of law.
Choudhary said the pens presented by “Bade Sir” would remain a cherished memory and a symbol of his guidance, affection, encouragement and faith in him.
A Journey Forged Through Hardship and Perseverance
Recalling Sawhney’s professional journey, Choudhary described it as a story of determination and resilience.
He said Sawhney’s family migrated from Poonch district to Jammu in 1947 during a turbulent period and was accommodated in government camps at Company Bagh. From an early age, Sawhney witnessed hardship and experienced the dignity of labour, including working as a truck conductor during his childhood.
Despite the challenges, he remained committed to his ambition of becoming an advocate.
Sawhney was enrolled as a Pleader in 1975 and subsequently completed the requisite professional legal education. In 1976, he began practising as an Advocate in the Jammu & Kashmir High Court.
Choudhary said what began amid difficult circumstances developed into a five-decade-long legal career defined by hard work, preparation, perseverance and commitment to the profession.
Learning from Eminent Members of the Legal Fraternity
Choudhary also highlighted Sawhney’s opportunity to observe and learn from several distinguished members of the legal fraternity, including late Justice R. P. Sethi, late Justice I. K. Kotwal, late Inder Prashad Grover, late Lala Suraj Parkash, late Janak Raj Sehgal and S. Joginder Singh, among others.
Their approach to advocacy, courtroom discipline, preparation, presentation and professional conduct, he said, contributed to shaping Sawhney’s understanding and practice of law.
According to Choudhary, one of Sawhney’s most notable qualities is that even after five decades at the Bar, he continues to approach law as a lifelong learner.
“His journey teaches us that a good advocate is not created overnight. Advocacy is built through reading, preparation, observation, experience, discipline and continuous learning,” he said.
Resilience and Leadership at the Bar
Choudhary said Sawhney’s association with the Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu, constitutes another significant chapter of his professional career.
He recalled that Sawhney contested the election for President of the Bar Association for the first time in 1987 but was unsuccessful. He contested again the following year and lost by a narrow margin.
Undeterred by the setbacks, Sawhney contested for a third time and was elected President of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu.
Choudhary described the episode as an example of resilience, determination and the ability to turn setbacks into renewed strength.
He said the Bar is not merely a platform for legal practice but an important institution responsible for upholding professional values, supporting young advocates, preserving the dignity of the profession and contributing to the administration of justice.
A Message for the Next Generation of Lawyers
Choudhary said Sawhney’s 50-year journey carries an important message for young advocates.
“There is no shortcut to becoming a good lawyer. An advocate must read every day, prepare every matter carefully, understand the law and procedure, develop courtcraft, respect the Bench and colleagues, maintain professional integrity and remain humble enough to continue learning,” he said.
He stressed that professional success should not be judged solely by the number of cases won, maintaining that the manner in which an advocate conducts himself, respects legal institutions, treats colleagues and upholds integrity is equally important.
‘Five Decades of Learning, Yet the Journey Continues’
Describing the completion of 50 years at the Bar as much more than a professional milestone, Choudhary said it represents five decades of learning, struggle, perseverance, advocacy, professional relationships, leadership and commitment to the legal profession.
“For me personally, being associated with ‘Bade Sir’ is a matter of great honour and privilege. I am deeply grateful for his guidance, encouragement, professional wisdom and the confidence he has placed in me,” he said.
“There is no substitute for hard work. There is no shortcut to courtcraft. There is no end to learning. And there is no greater strength for an advocate than truth, reason and the law,” Choudhary added. ANB
