Mike Ross's Journey: Deception, Identity, and the Quest for Justice

The television series Suits centers around Mike Ross, a boy who enters the prestigious New York law firm of Pearson Hardman with a unique loophole: he has no law degree. This premise challenges not only the conventional legal system but also raises questions about meritocracy, identity, and the ethical implications of deception. Through Mike's journey, the show explores themes of talent, ambition, and the barriers to entry in a profession traditionally dominated by educational credentials.

In Suits: The Deceptive Principal

The show's premise revolves around Mike Ross's ability to practice law without a degree after being hired by Harvey Specter, a top lawyer at Pearson Hardman. The tension in the series often arises from the risk of his secret being discovered, as practicing law without a degree is illegal and unethical.

Mike's situation reflects themes of meritocracy and the barriers to entry in the legal profession, highlighting how talent and intelligence can sometimes go unrecognized due to traditional educational pathways. Throughout the series, Mike grapples with issues of identity, morality, and the implications of his deception, making his lack of a law degree a central plot point.

Why Mike Ross Can't Simply Pursue a Law Degree

There are several reasons why Mike Ross, a character in the Netflix series Suits, can't simply pursue a law degree:

Legal Barriers

Mike has a criminal record for selling drugs, which poses a significant obstacle to entering a law school. Law schools typically conduct background checks, and a criminal record can disqualify someone from admission.

Time Constraints

Mike becomes involved with the law firm of Harvey Specter under unusual circumstances and faces time constraints in navigating the legal system to acquire a law degree. The urgency of his situation, coupled with the demands of his work at the law firm, makes pursuing a traditional legal education impractical.

Storyline Dynamics

The premise of the show is built on the deception of Mike's identity as someone with a law degree. Changing his background would remove several plot twists and undermine the central conflict of the series. It's important to watch all the seasons to understand the depth of how Mike's story is intertwined with the show's narrative.

Discussion and Analysis

Some fans of the show have suggested that Mike could easily apply to a prestigious law school such as Columbia, graduate, and then ask the partners to change his HR files to say he graduated from Columbia. However, this idea doesn't hold up due to several reasons:

Harvard's Rejection: His high school principal informed Harvard about the cheating stunt Mike pulled for the principal's daughter, making it impossible for him to be admitted there now.

Criminal Record Check: Mike has been telling everyone that he is a Harvard graduate. Given the background checks that would come with enrolling in a new law school, his secret might be uncovered.

Local Connections: Mike wants to practice law in New York and doesn't want to go to a remote college to get his degree. This desire adds a personal and professional layer to his situation that aligns with his character arc in the show.

In summary, Mike Ross's journey in Suits is a testament to the challenges of navigating the legal profession and the complex layers of identity and deception. His story showcases the human side of the law, highlighting the importance of ethics, merit, and the sometimes arbitrary nature of educational barriers.