10 Times Suits Blurred the Lines between Fiction and Reality: A Closer Look Inside the Law Firm

Five times Suits mirrored the intricate world of law firms, and five times it diverged from reality can be identified. The show's immersive depiction of the legal profession, set against the backdrop of New York City's bustling legal landscape, drew in audiences with its gripping portrayal of the lives of Mike Ross, a brilliant college dropout with unparalleled legal expertise, and Harvey Specter, a charismatic and formidable lawyer who serves as his mentor.

Suits skillfully intertwines the personal and professional lives of its characters, shedding light on their legal prowess, ethical dilemmas, and the inner workings of a prestigious law firm. The series takes viewers on a thrilling journey through high-stakes legal cases, strategic negotiations, and the complexities of attorney-client relationships.

However, it is important to distinguish between the show's fictional elements and the realities of practicing law. Suits presents a fusion of authentic legal scenarios and creative liberties taken to enhance the storytelling and entertainment value. By acknowledging these distinctions, viewers can appreciate the captivating portrayal of the legal profession while recognizing its deviations from reality.

10 Legal Cases

Suits offered viewers a close look at the realities of handling complex legal cases throughout its run. The series showcased a variety of legal cases, providing glimpses into the challenges and complexities lawyers face. Viewers were able to see the lawyers conducting in-depth research, analyzing evidence, and strategically planning their arguments to build strong cases and counter opposing counsel.

One episode, for example, portrayed a high-profile intellectual property dispute between two tech giants. The lawyers had to navigate complex patent laws, review technical documents, and interview expert witnesses in order to craft compelling arguments. By depicting the intricacies of legal research, preparation, and courtroom strategies, Suits allowed viewers to gain a better understanding of the complexities involved in handling such cases.

9 Office Hierarchy

The series depicted a clear hierarchical structure within the law firm, reflecting the realities of organizational dynamics in real organizations. The show showcased senior partners overseeing the firm's operations, making critical decisions, and managing client relationships. Junior partners and associates worked under their guidance, handling various tasks such as legal research, document drafting, and assisting with cases. In addition, support staff members, including paralegals and legal secretaries, provided administrative assistance.

An example of this hierarchy is evident when senior partner Harvey Specter made strategic decisions on which cases the firm would take, while associates like the iconic Mike Ross were responsible for conducting research and providing support on those cases. This portrayal closely resembled the typical structure of real law firms, in which roles and responsibilities are divided based on experience, expertise, and the delegation of tasks necessary to efficiently handle clients' legal needs.

8 Client Relationships

The series depicted real-life scenarios in a law firm, focusing on how lawyers interact with clients and highlighting the importance of trust and effective legal advice. In these scenarios, the initial client consultations were showcased, where lawyers aimed to comprehend the clients' legal issues, objectives, and expectations.

For instance, in one episode, Harvey Specter met with a wealthy client dealing with a high-stakes divorce in order to secure a favorable settlement. During the consultation, Harvey demonstrated his skill in asking insightful questions, actively listening to the client's concerns, and offering personalized advice based on his legal expertise. This highlighted the crucial role of communication, empathy, and understanding in building strong relationships between attorneys and clients.

7 Ethical Dilemmas

Suits regularly presents ethical challenges faced by its characters, shedding light on the moral complexities inherent in the practice of law. The show explores conflicts of interest arising from personal relationships between lawyers and their clients or opposing parties, which can endanger their professional objectivity. An example of this is seen in one storyline, where a lawyer discovers that a close friend is representing the opposing party, leading to ethical dilemmas regarding divided loyalties and potential breaches of client confidentiality.

This conflict serves as a prime example of the intricate ethical considerations that lawyers encounter in their daily practice. The series also tackles issues such as attorney-client privilege, confidentiality, and the obligation to act in the best interests of clients. These storylines spark discussions about the significance of maintaining professional integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest, and upholding legal and ethical standards within the legal profession.

6 Workplace Dynamics

The series delved into the dynamics within a law firm, showcasing the competitiveness among associates and the pressures they face to meet deadlines and billable hours. It portrayed junior associates striving to impress senior partners and working long hours to conduct legal research, draft documents, and prepare for court appearances. Cases assigned to associates exemplified this competitiveness as they aimed to demonstrate their legal acumen and achieve positive outcomes. The series also emphasized mentorship relationships, with experienced lawyers guiding and shaping the careers of younger associates.

For example, Harvey Specter mentored Mike Ross by providing guidance, sharing legal knowledge through iconic quotes, and challenging him to excel. Additionally, Suits highlighted the significance of teamwork and collaboration within a law firm. Lawyers frequently collaborated on complex cases, leveraging each other's expertise and strengths to achieve positive outcomes for their clients. These aspects of workplace dynamics depicted in the show resonated with the realities of the legal profession, where dedication, mentorship, teamwork, and effective time management are fundamental to success.

5 Hiring Non-Lawyers

The premise in Suits where Mike Ross, a college dropout with exceptional legal knowledge, could practice law as an associate without attending law school, was a significant departure from the realities of law firms. This fictional aspect added intrigue to the show's plot and allowed for exploration of the challenges faced by Mike Ross in maintaining his secret while navigating the legal world. However, it is important to note that in real life, practicing law without a law degree and passing the bar exam would be illegal.

It is worth emphasizing that hiring a non-lawyer as a practicing attorney is purely a work of fiction and does not represent the legal profession. The character of Mike Ross created a unique storyline that showcased his exceptional abilities, as well as the consequences that arise from practicing law without the necessary qualifications.

4 Unconventional Practices

The characters in the series often engaged in unorthodox and morally questionable practices to win cases, which went against the standards of actual law firms. Although these actions created excitement and suspense in the show, it is crucial to recognize that real lawyers are bound by legal and ethical rules that prohibit such conduct.

In one episode, Harvey became embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle involving a professional tennis player accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. To strengthen their case, Harvey and Mike resorted to an unconventional and unethical strategy: tampering with a key witness. They attempted to manipulate another player on the tennis circuit to testify falsely in court in favor of their client. This portrayal emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the dramatic elements of a television series and the ethical responsibilities that real-life lawyers must uphold in their legal practice.

3 Personal Relationships

Suits often blurred the lines between personal and professional relationships by portraying romantic entanglements and conflicts of interest among lawyers. The series delved into situations where characters engaged in romantic relationships with clients, opposing counsel, or colleagues, creating complex ethical dilemmas. For instance, one storyline depicted a lawyer becoming romantically involved with a client, sparking concerns about potential conflicts of interest and undermining the lawyer's professional impartiality.

While personal relationships may naturally develop in professional settings, reputable law firms prioritize maintaining professional impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity of legal representation. Lawyers are expected to navigate personal relationships responsibly, ensuring that their personal connections do not hinder their duty to act in their client's best interests and uphold professional standards.

2 Unrealistic Timeframes

Suits occasionally took artistic liberties with the timelines of legal procedures, portraying complex cases as being resolved more quickly than they would be in reality. While this allowed for a fast-paced narrative and kept viewers engaged, it's important to note that real legal proceedings involve multiple stages that can significantly extend the timeline.

In the show, lawyers often resolve complex legal matters within days or weeks, whereas in reality, cases can take months or even years to reach resolution. Real-world legal proceedings consist of discovery, negotiations, motion practice, and trial preparation, all of which contribute to the overall length of a case.

1 Lack Of Administrative Focus

The focus of Suits primarily lies on lawyers and their cases, neglecting the administrative and organizational aspects involved in running a law firm. While the show portrays lawyers dealing with legal matters and interacting with clients, it downplays or excludes administrative tasks such as billing, marketing, client acquisition, and firm management. In reality, law firms have dedicated staff or departments that handle these administrative functions to ensure the smooth functioning of the firm.

In real law firms, there are accounting departments responsible for billing clients, marketing teams in charge of promoting the firm's services, and business development professionals tasked with acquiring new clients. These administrative functions are vital for the efficient and effective provision of legal services by supporting the lawyers.