Retirement has yet to find a place in P.B. Menon’s vocabulary. At 100, the Palakkad lawyer continues to walk into court with a brief in hand, nearly eight decades after he first donned the black coat. For him, the practice of law is not a career that has run its course, but a calling that continues to give his life purpose.
Mr. Menon, who turned 100 on Saturday (October 10, 2026), holds the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a practising lawyer. Three years ago, he completed 73 years and 60 days in practice, surpassing the record of Gibraltar lawyer Louis Triay, whose career spanned 70 years and 311 days. Mr. Menon has continued practising since then, extending a record built on an extraordinary commitment to the profession.
He celebrated his centenary with family and friends on Saturday (October 10, 2026). Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who greeted him, commending his contribution to the legal profession and his service to people over several decades.
“A century is a remarkable milestone. To dedicate one’s time and energy over such a long period in the service of people is even more inspiring,” Mr. Modi said in his message. He pointed out that Mr. Menon had helped hundreds of people in their quest for justice and expressed confidence that his achievements and experience would inspire generations of lawyers.
A group of lawyers felicitate P. B. Menon on the eve of his turning 100 years old. Photo: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
For Mr. Menon, however, a lawyer’s worth has never been determined by the number of years spent in court or the number of cases handled. What matters is the trust clients place in him and the responsibility that comes with representing them.
A graduate of Government Victoria College, Palakkad, in 1947, he went on to study law at Madras Law College (now Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College), Chennai. He began his career at the Madras High Court, where he practised for two years, before returning to Palakkad to establish his practice.
An encounter with a senior judge at a sub-court in Kochi proved to be a turning point. After Mr. Menon won a criminal case as a junior lawyer, the judge advised him to concentrate on civil law.
“That was a turning point in my career and life. I begin my days by remembering that senior judge,” he recalled.
Civil law subsequently became his life’s work. Over the decades, he earned a reputation for meticulous preparation, concise arguments and an honest assessment of cases. He believes that a strong case does not necessarily require lengthy arguments; a thorough understanding of the matter and the ability to anticipate the opposing side’s arguments are far more important.
P. B. Menon (right) with former Deputy Director of Prosecution P. Premnath. Photo: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
P. Premnath, former deputy director of prosecution, sees Mr. Menon as much more than a lawyer with an extraordinary record.
“He is a phenomenon, a legal institution from which today’s practitioners have many lessons to learn,” Mr. Premnath said.
E. Krishnadas, lawyer and BJP State treasurer, describes him as a legend in his own right. “His nearly eight decades in legal practice are a testament to his dedication, perseverance and extraordinary lifelong commitment to the profession,” he said.
Mr. Menon has never considered a case too small to merit his full attention. His daughter, Subhadra Muraleedharan, says that he approaches every brief with seriousness, keeping the pursuit of justice for his client at the forefront.
His home, Rose Land at Puthur in Palakkad town, has long been a meeting place for lawyers and clients. Younger practitioners have found in him a mentor willing to share the lessons of a lifetime at the Bar.
While many of his contemporaries went on to become judges, Mr. Menon chose to remain a practising lawyer. The greatest reward, he believes, is the confidence of a client who considers him dependable and values his honest opinion.
At 100, with no plans to retire, Mr. Menon continues to find purpose in the work he has pursued for nearly eight decades. His record may be measured in years, but his legacy rests on something less easily quantified: the trust he has earned, one client at a time.
Published – October 10, 2026 12:33 pm IST
