Women have always been an integral part of the general functioning of the society. Whether it be running a country or helping the oppressed have justice, women have been capable and efficient in everything. India’s legal landscape has seen so many spectacular female lawyers who have significantly helped reshape the legal structure of the country as well as provide justice, especially for women. This article brings you a list of the top 10 female lawyers of India along with their contributions and the cases advocated by them that made them no less than a gem for the nation.
Most Famous Female Lawyers in India
1. Anitha Shenoy
Anitha Shenoy is one of the most talented and skilled advocates of the Supreme Court and is famous for her magnificent career and her commitment to the betterment of society. She is known for her advocacy for human rights such as the right to privacy and labor rights. Other famous cases include Environmental Litigation, Educational Reforms, and Public Health. She also participates in academic discussions and writes scholarly articles spreading her knowledge to the world.
2. Deepika Singh Rajawat
Deepika Singh Rajawat is another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is known for her appearance in some of the most sensitive high-profile cases especially those that involve sexual violence against women. Some of her famous cases include the Kathua Rape Case (2018) where an 8-year-old young girl was raped and murdered. She also advocated for women’s rights and is also the chairperson of an NGO that provides for the underprivileged and raises a voice against the breach of basic human rights.
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3. Flavia Agnes
Flavia Agnes is also one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is famous for her advocacy for marital, sexual and domestic violence against women. Some of her famous cases include the Mary Roy Case, Muslim Women’s Rights Cases, and Domestic Violence Law, which led to the formation of the Domestic Violence Law Act. She has also raised her voice against marital rape and urged its recognition as a punishable crime. She has also been a female activist conducting legal workshops for women so that they can identify their rights and fight for them.
4. Geeta Luthra
Geeta Luthra is another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is known for her excellence in cases that are related to family law, criminal law, or arbitration. Some of the famous high-profile cases she appeared for include the 2G Spectrum Case, where she appeared for the accused, and the Sarla Mudgal Case, which involved bigamy and religious conversion under the Hindu Law, Adultery Law Challenge, Tarun Tejpal Sexual Assault Case, and other cases like child custody. She also authors articles for many famous legal journals and acts as a mentor for many young lawyers by conducting workshops.
5. Indira Jaisingh
Indira Jaisingh became the first woman to be appointed as the Additional Solicitor General of India. Some of the famous cases that she has advocated include the Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan Case in the year 1997, which led to the development of rules against the ill-treatment of women at workplaces, the Githa Hariharan vs RBI Case in the year 1999, the Mary Roy vs State of Kerala Case in the year 1986, the Bhanwari Devi Case in the year 1995, and the Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation Case in the year 1995 making her another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India.
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6. Kamini Jaiswal
Kamini Jaiswal is another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is known for her advocacy in cases related to the rights of the public. Her career span is full of highly challenging cases that she advocated especially from the field of government accountability, human rights, and environmental laws. Some of the famous cases she appeared for include the 2G Spectrum Case where she appeared and advocated for government accountability and transparency in procedures, the Coal Allocation Scam, the Medical Admission Bribery Case, Environmental Litigation, and the Right to Information Activism.
7. Karuna Nundy
Karuna Nundy is another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is famous for her excellence in cases that deal with commercial litigation, media law, or constitutional law. Some of the famous cases she appeared in include the Shreya Singhal vs Union of India case in the year 2015, the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Case, the Right to Privacy Case, and the Anti-Section 377 Petition. She was also involved in the formation of anti-rape laws after the Delhi gang rape case in the year 2012 and the formation of guidelines by the Supreme Court of India on Sexual Harassment at workplaces. She is an excellent public speaker and often addresses topics like the rights of women.
8. Meenakshi Arora
Meenakshi Arora is another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is famous for her talent of being able to handle high-profile and complex cases. Her main focus has always been civil liberties, gender justice and equality, and the protection of the environment. Some of the famous cases she appeared in include the Right to Privacy Case, the Decriminalization of Homosexuality, the Sabarimala Temple Case, and many other cases related to environmental protection and freedom of speech. She is also famous for her legal writings and is also a public speaker on various media platforms.
9. Meenakshi Lekhi
Meenakshi Lekhi is famous as a legal advisor, a member of the Parliament, and an advocate for the rights of women. She was a part of the formation of anti-rape laws after the Delhi gang rape case in the year 2012. She became a member of the BJP and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the constituency of New Delhi. She has also been a part of various parliamentary committees like the Standing Committee on Personnel and many more making her another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India.
10. Menaka Guruswamy
Menaka Guruswamy is another one of the top 10 female lawyers in India and is known for her contribution and advocacy in cases related to rights provided by the constitution and social injustices. Some of the famous cases she appeared in include the Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India Case (2018), the Joseph Shine vs Union of India Case (2028), the Independent Thought vs Union of India Case (2017), the Ramchandra Guha vs Union of India Case (2015), and the Common Cause vs Union of India Case (2018). She’s also a writer and a speaker addressing topics like democracy and human rights.