The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling fair | Law is about dealing with rights, risks and responsibilities, says dean

Ananth Padmanabhan discusses the importance of curiosity, critical thinking, and adaptability in a successful legal career.

A career in law is fundamentally about dealing with rights, risks and responsibilities, said Ananth Padmanabhan, dean, Vinayaka Mission Law School at the 22nd edition of The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling Fair 2025 in Chennai on Sunday.

Addressing students on Exploring Career Opportunities in the Legal Field, he said, “A successful lawyer is built on curiosity. He is an avid reader, asks questions and engages in critical thinking. A lot of legal training is about building critical thinking. But success in the profession is also about how you work with people. A good foundational training will fundamentally let you know your response when it comes to navigating rights risks and responsibilities.”

Mr. Ananth also touched upon the career paths such as the traditional paths of lawyer, judge, bureaucrats, ombudsman while also describing the emerging legal career tracks. “Today, lawyers are not confined to appearing in courts. Law is much more about people who help solve disputes with a preventive approach to disputes. You can help clients by going to corporate boardrooms offering advisory services, be a general counsellor in stock firms among others. In the last 10-12 years the field of law has exploded, there’s a ton of opportunity available and its all about grabbing at the right moment,” he added.

Highlighting the features of his law school, Mr. Ananth said: “We call it the law school of the future. A law school has to integrally look at all of the changes happening around us and teach learners how the legal and policy ecosystem must adapt to these changes.”

Further adding that law permeated every potential sphere, he said, “Life in the law is not for everyone but law isn’t going from any of you at any time. At whatever career you choose to do, law will play a significant role because rights, risks and responsibilities are all pervasive,” he said.