Many people watch TV shows and expect that they can do the jobs displayed in the TV show. For example, when I was younger, I watched the show “Grey’s Anatomy” and thought that I could become a surgeon no problem. Little did I know that that dream ended quickly realizing my fear of needles and blood and coming to terms with the fact that I would never become a surgeon.
Many of my readers know the passion I have of going to law school. I decided to watch an episode of “Suits” to see if it correlates with being a real lawyer. Exploring the media to see if the events taken place in the show “Suits” is like working in a law firm.
I analyzed Season 2, episode 9 entitled “Asterisk”
In this episode, Harvey and Mike were arguing for their client and expressing that their client has the right to say their opinion publicly. The argument the opposing lawyer made was that the opinion was intentionally causing harm to someone’s reputation and in this case was seen as malice. The judge listened to both sides and set the meeting to trial.
Trial is when the case is sent to the judge and both attorneys have to argue for the client to prove their case. In this case, Harvey is set to go to trial to defend his client and to prove he is innocent, whereas the opposing lawyer is making his case to prove that Harvey’s client is guilty. According to my legal expert, 90-95% of cases are dismissed from trial. Meaning that only 5-10% of cases go to trial.
The opposing lawyer met with Harvey after the meeting and requested that his client make a public apology. If this were to happen, then the case would not go to trial.
Harvey met with the client and the client said he would not make an apology statement and that this case is going to trial.
Mike finds evidence to support his client’s case and shows Harvey this information. Harvery presents his client with a deal. The client took Harvery’s deal and the case did not go to trial. If a client takes a deal, that means that the trial is dropped. If the client did not take the deal, then the case would have continued into trial.
What I learned from this episode and speaking to an expert in law, is that there is a numerous amount of negotiation in a case. The case goes back and forth until there is a settlement. In the particular episode, there was a large amount of negotiating to make 1 deal. It shows that when becoming a lawyer, you need to negotiate and argue for your clients best interest.
Till next time
LR
Credible Sources
- “Suits” Season 2, episode 9
- Discussion with legal expert
LR reviews 
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