A career in law can pose significant challenges akin to navigating a battlefield, Chief Justice Salesi Temo advised freshly admitted legal practitioners during a recent address. He emphasized the need for caution, discipline, and a strong commitment to ethics, comparing the legal profession to that of a soldier maneuvering through a minefield.
Justice Temo warned that making incorrect decisions in the legal field could lead to severe consequences. He told the young lawyers, “Sometimes, wrong moves, you’re blown up, bombed,” illustrating the high stakes inherent in their chosen profession. Though the legal profession offers privileges, he stressed that it demands not only responsibility but also courage.
He also reminded the new practitioners that while their certificates may signify accomplishment, they merely open the door to the complexities of real legal practice—experiences not fully covered in law school. As they embark on this new chapter, Justice Temo urged the newly admitted lawyers to remain disciplined and committed as they confront the realities of legal work.
This powerful message serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibilities that come with the title of lawyer and the importance of approaching their careers with seriousness and integrity.