Reality vs. Fiction: Suits and the Unrealistic Portrayal of Law Firms in Media

Imagine a world where law firms only hire Harvard graduates, and a single attorney can simultaneously manage multiple complex cases while juggling personal and professional dramas. This surreal depiction, characteristic of Suits, is far from the reality of the legal world. The show’s exaggerated portrayal of lawyers and their daily duties serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of conflating entertainment with reality.

Inaccuracies in Suits

Suits, a popular legal drama, has been widely criticized for its inaccuracies in depicting the legal profession. One of the most egregious mistakes is the idea that a law firm would only hire individuals from prestigious law schools. While it is true that many top-tier law firms do prefer to hire from Ivy League institutions, it would be absurd for a firm to overlook applicants from other highly regarded schools. Additionally, the notion that a single attorney can manage such diverse and complex cases is not only unrealistic but also highly impractical.

Attorneys, especially in large firms, specialize in specific practice areas. The idea that a lawyer could simultaneously negotiate an acquisition, defend themselves in a criminal action, handle a civil securities case, and oversee an unlawful detainer defense is simply ludicrous. Lawyers often work long hours, but the idea that they would juggle multiple major cases simultaneously is simply not the norm. This depiction serves only to sensationalize the profession, which often leads to misunderstandings about the realities of legal practice.

The Verifiable Errors in Legal Practices

Another major flaw in Suits is the show's portrayal of legal and business issues. Many of the scenarios presented in the series are highly unlikely to occur in the real world. For example, the idea of a lawyer taking a hitman to court or engaging in complex business deals under the guise of legal representation is not a realistic representation of the legal profession. In reality, these scenarios would follow strict legal procedures and guidelines, and such actions would likely result in serious consequences for the lawyer involved.

The only aspect of Suits that has a tinge of veracity is the recognition of the value of paralegals and their role in law offices. Experienced paralegals are indeed invaluable, and their ability to handle a large volume of administrative and legal work can be crucial to the success of a law firm. However, their role is often underappreciated in the show, and their attractive and sexy nature is often more emphasized than their professional skills.

Real-World Legal Constructs

For a more accurate depiction of life in a law firm, one might want to turn to films such as Michael Clayton. This movie does a better job of presenting the stresses on lawyers and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into handling complex business and legal issues. Films like Michael Clayton show lawyers stressed on the road after taking numerous depositions or young lawyers working tirelessly at 2 AM, which are much closer to reality.

The reality of a Manhattan law firm is far from the glamorous and high-stakes portrayal in Suits. A day in the life of a legal professional often involves sitting silently in front of computer screens, crunching legal data, and occasionally eating cold Pop-Tarts at their desks due to time constraints. The glamorous elements of the show are heavily fictionalized and overemphasized for entertainment purposes.

Television programs like Suits have the unfortunate impact of distorting public perceptions of the legal profession. While these shows may offer an intriguing and engrossing storyline, they do little to reflect the true nature and reality of legal practice. The only similarity between these fictional shows and real-life law firms is the existence of law firms themselves. The rest is pure fiction.