f/k/a archives . . . real opinions & real haiku

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana (India) has proposed “barring

entry of a person in the profession after the age of 45.”  (ExpressIndia.

com, Speakout “Age bar: Advocates divided over answer,” Nov. 17,

2005).Judging from some of the comments submitted to the Chandigarh

News-line, lawyers in that part of the world are far less worried about

appearing politically incorrect in print than we Americans. 

mountain village–
the old man doesn’t know
the dance
 

My very quick research, suggests that life

expectancy at birth in India is currently 64.4 years.  A

person living to age 45 would, naturally, have a life ex-

pectancy of more than 20 years — probably significantly

more.  (you can check out your life expectancy here)

 

the old dog
looks as if he’s listening…
earthworms sing

 

We’re told that the proposed rule “has fetched a mixed response from city

advocates. While the veterans feel that the new rule defies logic and

practicality, new entrants feel the rule will be fruitful for the new crop entering

the profession.”  Here are a few quotes:

Virinder Issar: I do not think that the proposed rule will do any 

good to the profession. . . . An assimilation of experience and

expression is the most lethal combination one can possess in

this profession, which normally a youngster lacks, and which,

comes from passing a certain age.

 

N.S. Minhas: I feel its a welcome decision and should be imple-

mented. This would benefit the young generation that has entered

the profession lately. People generally have a myth regarding our

profession that older the advocate more the experience he has.

When a client walks in and sees a grey-haired advocate, he will

certainly opt for him, may be not knowing that he is as new to the

profession as is a young lawyer.

 

in leafy shade
an old one’s voice…
a frog!

 

Malkiat Singh: It takes more than five years to understand the

legal procedure and settle down in this stream.

 

Surinder: It’s a wise step taken by the Bar Council. This will cut

down the traffic of people entering the profession.

 

even the pine tree
I planted grows old!
autumn dusk

 

Dinesh Kumar: I wonder, at the age of 45, what will

these grey haired people do? Will they have time to devote to the

profession? I think they will be more busy with their geriatric problems.

It’s a good decision as it will motivate young lawyers to enter into the

profession.

 

Well, what do you think?  Are you, or do you know, any gray-haired law students

or recent grads?   Is this unjustified age discrimination?  Guild mentality?  It seems

darn unAmerican to Prof. Yabut et al.

afterthoughts (9 AM):  A question and a memory: (1) how do law schools

in America treat applicants who are in their forties or older? 

 

(2) When I first moved to Schenectady, NY, in 1988, I met lawyer Mary

Coffin. Mary didn’t go to law school until she was over 40 years old, after

having a career as a registered nurse and raising eight children.  The legal

profession of Schenectady and New York State would have been far poorer

if Mary had been refused entry to the bar because of her “old” age.  Decades

of service to children at Family Court, to a myriad of clients in her “Main Street”

lawyer practice of Antokol & Coffin, and to the Bar, by Lawyer Coffin, belie any

notion that she didn’t have enough time after graduation to serve the profession

and her society.

 

 

 

lightning flash–
in pampas grass ensconced
a fifty year-old’s face

 

 

 

all haiku by Kobayashi Issa 

       translated by David G. Lanoue