Is the hit TV show "Suits" really accurate?

Harvey Spector. Mike Ross. Suits has seemed to take over the internet in the last few months and is currently all the rage. If you are anything like me, you have binged the show non stop.

"Suits" is a legal drama that aired from 2011 to 2019. It is set in a prestigious New York law firm and focuses on the dynamic duo, Mike Ross and Harvey Specter. Harvey Specter is a brilliant and well respected attorney who is known as "the best closer in New York City". Mike Ross, on the other-hand, being a college drop out with a photographic memory who becomes Harvey's associate, even though he never went to law school. The show explores the office drama, high-stakes cases, and Mike and Harvey's struggle to keep his secret.

From intense courtroom drama to high-tension office politics, the world of Suits certainly makes the legal world look exciting and glamourous. However, is the hit TV show really all that accurate? Is Suits what being a lawyer is actually like?

In this post, I will dive into the different accuracies and inaccuracies of the TV show. Join me as we dive into the nuances behind this popular fiction of the legal world.

So, What is Being a Corporate Lawyer Actually Like?

There is no doubt that thousands of people have wanted to join the world of corporate law after watching the TV show, however, is "Suits" really what the corporate lawyer life is like?

The Law Library

There are countless times where viewers saw Mike Ross and Rachel Zane working away in the law library using tons of books to do their research. This suggests that legal research is mainly done with physical books.

However, in real life, the law world has mostly made the transition to utilizing technology. Online databases are the main resources for most lawyers in the real world. Digital subscriptions to these databases are much cheaper than the actual books, and are much more easily accessible. There are still attorneys who use law books and printed materials, but the practice is widely considered outdated. The shift to technology has made made legal work much more efficient and faster, which differs from the show's dramatic portrayal of law libraries.

The Wheels of Justice Turn SLOW

In the show, discovery to trial is shown usually all in one episode for each case, sometimes the process only taking place within a few days in the fictional world of "Suits". The main lawyers in the show are seen often easily attaining evidence, and negotiating settlements super fast. The characters will have to deal with incredibly complex cases, but the show makes the legal process out to seem quick.

For real lawyers in the real world, the wheels of justice turn very slowly. The process of different approvals and even moving to trial can take many months, sometimes even years, at a time. Discovery can also be a long process for real lawyers. Depositions, subpoenas, and obtaining evidence can be a long and difficult process with many intricate details. The judicial system also has countless hurtles and obstacles that lawyers need to navigate and overcome to have a case either settle or go to trial. The fast pace of cases in "Suits" makes the legal system look simple and fast, but it does not slow how slow-moving and precise justice can be.

Office Drama and Politics

The TV show not only offers viewers a complex legal narrative, but also a lot of drama regarding office politics and personal relationships. The series dives deeply into the struggles of each character, showing how bonds can be built up and broken. From exploring Harvey Specter's complexities in his maternal relationship to Louis Litt's often questionable choices, the drama keeps viewers hooked on the story line. And don't get me started on the drama from people trying to keep the secret that Mike Ross is not actually a lawyer.

Some of this is obviously heavily exaggerated for television purposes. Not every real law firm will have intense stand offs and personal drama that occurs on the daily. Interpersonal tensions certainly do appear in the real legal world, but very few occur to the same extent as depicted in Suits.

Some negotiations and interactions in the real world are simply normal and boring. No high stakes, gossip, or intense office politics, just regular every day interactions. There are definitely times where the extent of drama is present like in Suits, but it does not happen every day like the show makes it out to be.

Conclusion

The hit tv show Suits is undoubtedly entertaining for every view, and it has undoubtedly inspired many people to join the legal profession, but it is important to know that being a lawyer is not exactly as it is like in the show. The day to day of a real corporate lawyer will not always be action filled, but instead there are many days of long work and boring reading.

Just because you want to be Harvey Spector, does not mean you are capable of achieving a life like his. The real world of corporate law may be far different from what the show leads you to believe. The lifestyle may not always be thrilling and dramatic, but often times boring and slow. Suits is certainly an enjoyable show, but know what you are getting yourself into if it makes you want to be a lawyer!