In a legal profession often shaped by legacy and lineage, Gurmukh Singh Arora has built his journey on determination alone. A Senior Associate Partner at KMA Law Offices, Advocate, legal writer, and social reformer, Arora represents a generation of first-generation lawyers who rely not on inheritance but on integrity, intellect, and relentless perseverance. With experience spanning white-collar crime, constitutional, commercial, and real estate law, his practice reflects a deep curiosity about how law intersects with everyday life. Known for his courtroom advocacy as much as for his research-driven drafting, Arora approaches each case with a rare balance of precision and empathy. Beyond legal victories and citations on reputed platforms, his work is anchored in a larger purpose, strengthening access to justice and restoring faith in the legal system, especially for those who feel unseen.
In this candid conversation, he reflects on his journey, the lessons that shaped his legal philosophy, and why, for him, the law is not merely a profession, but a lifelong responsibility guided by one enduring belief: “Nishchay kar apni jeet karoon” with determination, one can carve one’s own victory.
1. What inspired you to pursue law and eventually specialize across such diverse practice areas?
As a first-generation lawyer, my journey in law began not with privilege, but with purpose. I did not inherit chambers, clients, or legacy, but I inherited a belief: that the law is the greatest equalizer in human society. From my earliest days in law school, I was captivated by how words, when anchored in truth, could protect dignity and restore balance.
What inspired me most was the idea that justice is not static; it evolves with every person who chooses to stand up for what is right. Over the years, my practice expanded across white-collar crime, constitutional, commercial, and real estate law, not by design but by curiosity. I wanted to understand how every branch of law touches human life.
Each day in this profession has been an act of faith, faith in perseverance, and in the people who placed their trust in me. When clients come to a first-generation lawyer, they are not just hiring counsel; they are believing in effort over inheritance. That trust has been my greatest blessing and my constant reminder that success in law is never owned, it is only earned.
I often remind myself of the line that has guided my journey:
“Nishchay kar apni jeet karoon,” i.e With determination, I will carve my own victory.
That conviction, not privilege, is what defines me.
2. How do you maintain balance between courtroom advocacy and research-intensive legal drafting?
The beauty of this profession lies in its duality, the solitude of drafting and the storm of argument. Balancing both has been my greatest learning. Drafting humbles you; it teaches precision, discipline, and respect for the law. Advocacy, on the other hand, tests your courage; it demands clarity in chaos and conviction under pressure.
For me, the balance comes from preparation. Every argument begins at the desk, long before the courtroom. I spend countless hours reading judgments, dissecting precedents, and refining submissions because once you stand before a Bench, you are not just arguing law, you are defending logic.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to argue against super-seniors and before some of the most respected judges in the country. Those moments are both humbling and instructive; they remind you that advocacy is not about overpowering the other side, but about assisting the court with honesty and clarity.
There are days we lose the best of our best cases, where every argument feels watertight but the outcome humbles us. And there are days we win the most improbable ones, teaching us that law is not linear; it rewards persistence as much as intellect. Both experiences shape you. They remind you that in this profession, you never truly lose if you have argued with integrity.
3. Could you share insights from one case that profoundly shaped your legal perspective?
There was a matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, where the stakes were high and the consequences life-altering. The case demanded a rare blend of legal precision and human sensitivity. It taught me that the law is not only about punishment, it is also about protection.
What stayed with me was how procedural fairness, something that often seems technical, can determine the fate of entire families. It reminded me that behind every file lies a person’s story, their struggle, their faith. That realization profoundly shaped my approach: I no longer see a case as a “matter”, I see it as a responsibility to ensure no one’s right is lost in translation.
Each case since has reinforced this belief that while law gives us structure, empathy gives it meaning. I carry that lesson every time I stand to argue that the true practice of law lies not in aggression, but in compassion balanced by reason.
4. Many of your cases have been cited in reputed legal platforms. What does this recognition mean to you as a practitioner?
Recognition in law, be it through judgments cited on SCC Online, LiveLaw, or Bar & Bench, is deeply humbling, but I view it as collective, not personal. Every recognition belongs to the people who helped me get there: clients who trusted me, colleagues who guided me, and mentors who shaped me.
As a first-generation lawyer, such acknowledgment carries an added emotional weight. It is proof that the system rewards merit, that sincerity still finds its place amidst brilliance. I have immense gratitude for every opportunity where my work contributed, however modestly, to the interpretation or development of the law.
But recognition also carries responsibility. When your words become part of a judgment, they become part of history. They will guide someone else’s argument tomorrow. That awareness keeps me grounded, reminding me that our true measure is not how many times we are cited, but how faithfully we serve the truth each time we are heard.
5. What’s your vision for strengthening access to justice for marginalized communities in India?
Access to justice, in my view, begins not with courts, but with awareness and empathy. Having worked with organizations like the Soul of Life Welfare Society, the IHITA Foundation, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, I’ve seen how ignorance, more than poverty, denies justice to people.
My vision is to build a bridge between law and life, to create spaces where people can understand their rights in simple language, where a citizen does not need to fear a lawyer but can see one as an ally. Even a small, consistent act can ripple into lasting change when driven by compassion.
As a first-generation lawyer, I owe everything to society, every opportunity, every case, every lesson. I have faced days of uncertainty, argued before the most senior judges, and stood across from stalwarts far more experienced. Yet, through it all, I have learned that law is not about standing above others; it is about standing with people.
My ultimate vision is simple: that no citizen should feel unseen in their own country’s justice system. If through my work I can help restore faith even for one person in the idea that justice still listens, then I would consider my journey truly complete.
Closing Thought
If there is one philosophy that defines my journey, it is this:
“Nishchay kar apni jeet karoon.”
Determination is the greatest equalizer. It reminds me, every day, that while talent opens doors, it is perseverance, humility, and gratitude that keep them open. I am, and will always remain, grateful to the profession that gave me purpose, to the society that placed its trust in me, and to every setback that made me stronger.
