Jahanvi Agarwal
Balasubramanian Menon, a distinguished legal luminary from the northern reaches of Palakkad district in Kerala, has etched his name into the annals of legal history. Remarkably, at the age of 97, Menon has achieved a noteworthy feat, securing a coveted spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest-serving advocate, boasting a remarkable career spanning an impressive 73 years and 60 days.
Guinness acknowledged:
“The longest career as a lawyer (male) is 73 years and 60 days, and was achieved by Menon P Balasubramanian (India) as verified in Kerala, India, on 11 September 2023”.
Far from resting on his laurels, Menon remains an active and dedicated legal professional, diligently attending his office and court proceedings, meeting clients regularly.
In his own words, “When a party approaches me with a case, he is coming by trusting me…I will do whatever I can do for them.”
Originating from a traditional family in Palakkad, Menon emphasizes his belief in brevity during court proceedings, asserting that his arguments and cross-examinations are consistently concise.
Having embarked on his legal journey after completing his legal studies at Madras Law College in the early 1950s, Menon dismisses any inquiries about retirement plans with a gentle smile, affirming, “I will continue my practice till my health permits and until my parties want me to.” This veteran lawyer expresses hope that his record-setting achievement can serve as inspiration for others in the legal fraternity.