Suits: The Best Show on Television

Up until a few months ago, I did not have a favorite television show.  In fact, the only thing I watched on television was basketball.  But, today is a new day! The USA network created a show called Suits and I am a huge fan.  I watched the entire second season during a two-week period.  As a practicing attorney, I am usually not interested in watching shows purporting to depict attorneys.  Those shows often help advance the misconception that attorneys are greedy, corrupt, lying individuals.  Or, the shows sensationalize the courtroom and make it seem like a circus.  The overuse of legalese or “lawyerspeak” often turned me off as well.  Most attorneys do not spend every hour of each day preparing for court, or even appearing in court.  Most attorneys do not start every sentence with “therefore” or “heretofore.”  Luckily, Suits does not advance those ridiculous ideals.

Suits is about a big-time Manhattan law firm called Pearson Hardman.  Only the best and brightest lawyers practice at Pearson Hardman.  The managing partner of the firm is played by Gina Torres.  One of the brightest associates at the firm, Mike Ross, has a secret that could lead to the downfall of the firm.  His secret is—he is not an attorney because he never attended law school.  But he perpetuates a lie and claims that he graduated from Harvard Law School.  His lie is one of the best sub plots of the show.  Harvey Spector, senior attorney is the only person in the firm who knows about Mike’s secret, which makes him responsible.  The show is also filled with power battles and competition for law firm superiority.  The show’s characters are believable and make the show spectacular.   

My favorite character is Harvey Spector.  Harvey is the youngest senior partner in the history of Pearson Hardman.  He is brash, sharp, witty and very outspoken.  He practices law on the edge.  Attorneys all across the country are bound by Professional Rules of Responsibility.  Balancing moral values and the Rules is something all attorneys have to deal with.   Harvey straddles the gray area and sometimes, he crosses the line in the wrong direction.  If Harvey was a real attorney, he would probably not have a license to practice law. He is ambitious and he absolutely buries his enemies in the dirt.  People know not to cross Harvey. 

Mike Ross is probably my second favorite character.  He is the young associate who received his start in the realm of law by taking the Law School Admissions Test for students for money.  He has a shady background, but he is also a genius.  He is as talented as any attorney at the firm, even though he has never been formally trained.  Informally, he is Harvey’s understudy.  Although he should not be practicing law, I like the character and want to see him succeed.  But, I am certain that his little secret will be uncovered during the third season.

Louis Litt is Harvey Spector’s nemesis.  Louis is a bit older than Harvey; yet, Harvey became a senior partner before him.  He is a great attorney but he does not have that “it” factor that all great individuals possess.  He is socially awkward and does not have a life outside of work.  He is extremely bright, but the only thing that makes him happy is the fact that he is more intelligent than most people.  He wants to be appreciated and praised for his good work.  Although a very good attorney, he is not quite as good as Harvey, and that fact eats away at his very existence.  He also has a weird sense of humor and Harvey almost beats him to a pulp in a few different scenarios because he is so shady.  I believe his hatred for Harvey will become even more important during season three.

Jessica Pearson is the managing partner at Pearson Hardman.  She is charged with making sure the multi-million dollar firm runs like a well oiled machine.  She is obviously very intelligent, and she is also a double minority, which is an interesting touch.  She is a strong woman who has a high moral compass.  But, she is also very competitive and hates losing.  Her character epitomizes many on my fellow colleagues.  Almost innately, most attorneys are very competitive and do not like to lose.  As the leader, she has to deal with serious issues between the partners.  She even had to deal with her role as managing partner being challenged by a fellow partner.  She was able to defeat that uprising in typical Jessica Pearson fashion. 

The show is my favorite at the moment, and the new season begins on the USA network in January.  Check it out.

Peace