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Our Favorite Legal TV/Movies by Mike Bruno & Zac Shaffer

Law has always been a popular genre for film and TV producers. From Perry Mason to Law and Order (Chonk-Chonk!), Hollywood has used the exploits of lawyers to entertain audiences since its earliest days. Over the years they also inspired countless attorneys and legal professionals down their chosen career path. Boyk Law attorneys Mike Bruno and Zac Shaffer highlight their favorites.

Zac Shaffer’s Favorites

Suits – Suits is without a doubt my favorite tv show centered around the practice of law (albeit the unauthorized practice of law, but nonetheless). Suits is centered around two men, a young and brilliant New Yorker who has a photographic memory, Mike Ross; and a slightly older and charismatic attorney who works at one of the most prestigious law firms in New York, Harvey Specter.
Harvey, after being named Senior Partner, hires Mike as his associate knowing the entire time that Mike has not went to any law school, anywhere. While the antagonist consistently changes based on the type and nature of the case they are working, what makes this show bingeworthy is the constant drama circling around the cast keeping Mike’s secret from the world. The dramatization and ridiculous nature of the show keeps you engaged and delivers “Hollywood” advice about how to successfully become a top-tier attorney. But, from one attorney to another, it is probably best to avoid the transgressions and ethical dilemmas posed in nearly every episode.

Lincoln Lawyer – The Lincoln Lawyer is one of the best modern-day adaptations of a box office success. Originally, Matthew McConaughey starred in the 2011 film based on the 2005 novel written by Michael Connelly. The main character, Los Angeles attorney Mickey Haller, is a criminal defense attorney who is famous for two main reasons: (1) his legal prowess and work ethic and (2) his Lincoln Town Car. Mickey is iconically named the Lincoln Lawyer because to meet the demand of his clients, he works out of his car while traveling court house to court house rather than out of an office. What sets this TV show apart from others is the intertwined plots between clients and the plot string that Mickey continues to pull as he works each case and attempts to protect those he cares about. Similar to Suits, the show is riddled with ethical dilemmas and attempts to deliver sound legal ideas on how an attorney should act to protect their oath as counselor and become successful. In my opinion, The Lincoln Lawyer stands out due to its short seasons. Each episode is meaningful and important and this show is able to keep your attention engaged throughout every moment.

Boston Legal – While Suits and The Lincoln Lawyer are more recent, one of the better “dated” legal TV shows was Boston Legal. While the other shows have comedic relief, the premise of those shows is drama. Comparatively, Boston Legal was designed for comedy. This legal comedy drama starred none other than William Shatner, James Spader, and Candice Bergen. Shatner plays Denny Crane, who is a 70 year old eccentric attorney who is portrayed as loose cannon, but in reality suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s. Opposite Shatner, Spader plays Alan Shore, a middle aged attorney who is less eccentric, but uses questionable methods to say the least in his practice. The relationship between these two characters and the quirky, completely unrealistic antics of the attorneys make this one of my favorite legal TV shows. Boston Legal is a spin-off of another great show, Private Practice. While I have never seen the original series, Boston Legal is enjoyable all the same. If you haven’t watched this show, I would highly recommend it to anyone. And, if you have, then you already know the name: Denny Crane (*written and intended to be read in the voice of William Shatner).

The Movie that Influenced Mike Bruno’s Legal Career

The 1970s was my decade. At the beginning, I was in middle school, still trying to figure out a school day without recess. By the end of the decade, I was a first-year law student, the very first step towards becoming a lawyer. What brought me from middle school to law student? Two things: a gentle nudge from a lawyer who also happened to be my dad. Secondly, watching a movie, The Paper Chase, which dramatized a group of first-year law students in the setting of a New England Law School.

The Paper Chase was a 1973 movie starring Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner and John Houseman. I first saw it years later when it was broadcast on TV. It was later adapted into a 1978 TV series that ran 4 seasons on CBS, PBS & Showtime.

The central character was James Hart, struggling to adapt to the pressures of the first semester of law school. Professor Charles Kingsfield, was played by John Houseman, who won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor. He taught contract law using the Socratic method, which uses a series of questions to encompass critical thinking. It was high drama when Professor Kingsfield looked at the seating chart and called on a student. He was intimidating. It was sink or swim. An answer would lead to another question. If the student hesitated, he would call another name.

There were plenty of entertaining scenes of Hart interacting with his fellow students. They formed a student group, and there were disagreements. One classmate had a pedigree and felt entitled. Another was married and struggled to find the balance between married life and law school. Of course, Hart falls for a girl unconnected with the law school, until he later discovers otherwise.

The dramatization of a mixed group of students, being challenged in search of a goal is something I found to be enticing. I saw myself in Hart, a smart, sometimes struggling student trying to navigate the maze of law school. Fortunately, I learned much later, that The Paper Chase was fiction and not very much like my actual Law School experience. I say fortunately because had the movie mirrored my actual law school experiences, I’d probably have become a carpenter.

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