Despite their thrill and glamor, legal dramas on television often have little to no functionality in the real realm of lawyering. Rather, they present a hyper-stylised version of courtroom proceedings that can be misleading to recent law school graduates and the general public.
In a recent article by Olga V. Mack, the VP at LexisNexis and CEO of Parley Pro, she expresses her thoughts on the disparity between the representation of law on television and its actual practice. Mack, who is at the forefront of legal innovation, is dedicated to improving the future of law and harnessing the power of technology to make legal practices more resilient and inclusive.
She also founded the Women Serve on Boards movement which advocates for more women to take seats on the corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies and is an acclaimed author of books such as Getting on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security, among others.
Mack’s article serves as a reminder to legal professionals and the general public that reality does not always align with the tailored narratives on TV. Television shows, while entertaining, should not be seen as factual or representative of the actual processes and procedures within a lawful context.
The glamour and speed shown on these programs often bear little similarity to the plights and triumphs of real-life legal battles which are often characterized by reading through numerous contractual documents and laborious case preparations. So, while enjoyable, one should approach these shows with an understanding that they are, first and foremost, works of fiction.