When it comes to television, the legal profession has delivered a large amount of captivating series that have conquered audiences for several decades. And fittingly, few things can be more dramatic than a bitterly fought battle in the courtroom. As a company forged in the legal industry, we certainly have to watch a lot of legal TV shows. Therefore, we have created this list to highlight the best legal TV series that are worth your time. Fairly Legal is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on the USA Network from January 20, 2011 to June 15, 2012. It stars Sarah Shahi, Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams, Baron Vaughn and Ryan Johnson.[1] [2] USA Network discontinued the show on November 1, 2012 after two seasons due to low ratings. [3] [4] Just Legal, starring Don Johnson and Jay Baruchel, is a drama about two “funny and unequal lawyers”[1] who “come to you discreetly.” [2] David “Skip” Ross (Baruchel), 19, is a legal genius who graduated from law school at the top of his class but can no longer find anyone to hire him. That`s where Grant Cooper comes in, a failed middle-aged lawyer who has made too many bad decisions in his career, making him a jaded court-appointed lawyer who is rejected by his colleagues. Skip is Grant`s golf caddy, and he convinces Grant to simply let him write a legal letter for him; but when they arrive at the courthouse, Grant is told he needs a “second chair” (a lawyer sitting in the second seat at the defense lawyer`s table), and he gives them the only one he has: Skip Ross. Grant has no intention of bringing Skip into his practice, but his charm, enthusiasm, intelligence and, most importantly, his ability to win a deal convince Grant. Need to laugh? Do you need something from John Lithgow to brighten up your legal mind? Then Trial & Error is a great bet.
This episodic NBC comedy debuted in 2017 and was very well received by fans and critics alike. The series takes a focused and sarcastic shot at the growing genre of the law of reality species, that is, Netflix`s immensely popular Making A Murderer. In this context, Trial & Error does a damn good job of making people laugh as a young and ambitious New York defender, Josh (played by Nicholas D`Agosto), who is sent to a southern city and a little backward to defend the murder charge of Larry Henderson (played by John Lithgow). Armed with incredibly incompetent and hilarious support staff, it`s essentially Josh and Larry against the whole city, as every step of their trial finds more and more damning evidence against the defense. Recently renewed by NBC for a second season, we hope this mockumentary will sustain legal laughter for years to come. This USA Network series, which debuted in 2011, won the hearts and minds of audiences from the beginning. The series revolves around a college dropout, Mike Ross (played by Patrick J. Abrams), who essentially makes his way to become an attorney at a renowned New York law firm.
The Ross mentor is Harvey Spectre, well trained and polite, well played by Gabriel Match, who is also the producer of the series. Together, Mike and Harvey make their way through various intense legal battles, many of which take place in fictional representations of Corporate America on topics such as shady management deals. While he tries all the time to keep secret the secrecy of Mike`s non-lawyer status. With a strong supporting cast, including outstanding players like Rick Hoffman, Gina Torres and Meghan Markle, this basic cable series has included 6 seasons with a Season 7 set to debut in July of this year – definitely a legal TV binge-watching weekend. A common favorite of grandparents everywhere. Matlock made his debut in 1986 and had a great long run until his final in 1992. In this legal drama, Andy Griffith played a shrewd criminal defense lawyer named Ben Matlock who fights for justice. Many of the characteristic scenes included Matlocks, who dramatically confronted witnesses on the witness stand. The formula worked because Matlock got very consistent grades during his series.
Some critics wrote that the series was derived from the format and plot sequences of another legal television drama, Perry Mason. Despite all the criticism and perhaps a poorly written non-competition clause with one of Perry Mason`s writers, Matlock episodes can still be found in syndication on some stations. Don`t be like a character in this classic TV series. Get your legal documents as a solid LLC operating agreement that, even if your partner killed you, would stand up in court! Darren Franich, who wrote for Entertainment Weekly, noted the similarity of Fairly Legal`s formula with other hit USA Network series, describing the show as “a perfectly prefabricated American treat.” He praised Shahi`s performance as Kate, saying it “makes you believe that the woman is both an anxious wreck and a brilliant mediator,” applauding some of the “interesting opportunities” the creators have seized. However, he took the show to task because it didn`t take advantage of its San Francisco environment, as well as other American series that use its locations, and criticized Pretty Legal for not knowing “whether it wanted to be a dark drama or a festival of splashing legal oddities.” [53] Robert Bianco for USA Today agreed with Shahi`s performance rating, calling it “immediately sympathetic” and describing the series as “a well-constructed popular entertainment from a reliable provider of the same, with an easy-to-like star and an easy-to-understand premise.” [54] In a Season 2 review, Bruce Fretts of TV Guide praised Williams and applauded the relationship between Lauren and Kate, pointing to its impact on character development. [5] Originally based on a 2008 British television series, this 8-part HBO crime drama has captivated audiences and critics alike. It turned out to be a fascinating introspective article about the American legal system. This fascinating drama was backed by a fabulous performance by John Turturro, who played a sympathetic defense lawyer who let this strange case fall on his lap. The series proved to be a breakthrough for Riz Ahmed, who played the defender wrongly (or rightly??? accused. Since the eight episodes of the series, Ahmed has seen his star blossom in other lead and supporting roles in several feature films.
If you can turn something like the legal industry into a direct comedy, you know you have something special. NBC knew this when Night Court first aired in 1984. With a well-received ensemble cast highlighted by Harry Anderson and John Larroquette, this sitcom had its audience in the stitches. Riding a wave of developing dry comedy, the show largely gathered around the staff of a shabby New York city courthouse forced to face a parade of neurotic and wildly crazy criminals. Of all the shows on our list, Night Court had the strongest propensity to evolve over the course of its series. Later episodes had the characters in a more slapstick style of humor as opposed to the dry joke comedy of previous seasons. Despite the development of the chameleon season, fans have remained loyal and connected to their TVs. This series, arguably the leading legal drama of all time, premiered on CBS in 1957 and lasted very well until 1966.
