Comparing Reality to the Suits TV Show...

Exciting, fast-paced, freedom.

Suits (tv show) may not perfectly depict our profession; however the key elements are there...

These were the first three words that came to mind when I was asked to reflect on my first month at MB. Although a dedicated “Suits” (the USA Network television show) fan, I acknowledge that the show glamourizes the legal profession. As I get further into the summer, I realize that Suits may not perfectly depict our profession; however the key elements are there.

Exciting.

Who can say they don’t, at some point in their life, want to work in one of the pristine towers in Toronto’s financial core? That is after all where the great legal drama, Suits is filmed.

It may have been intimidating at first but the students, lawyers, clerks and assistants at MB are truly a great support network. They teach me something new everyday and are some of the friendliest people, let alone professionals, that I have ever met. The bond between Harvey, Mike, Donna and even Louis is not something that only makes for a good storyline.

Fast-paced.

Then you have litigation that adds a sense of suspense, strategy, and of course excitement to the at times mundane paperwork. If you’ve seen Suits, you are likely well aware that in the world of litigation, things can change at the drop of a hat, which is likely why even the ingenious Mike is constantly scrambling. However, instead of a quick lunch at the corner hot dog stand, we struggle with navigating through the Path, which is more a maze than a path.

Last week, I assisted with drafting a rush factum for a responding motion. Before I knew it, 9 pm had turned into 10 pm, which subsequently turned into 12:30 am. However by the end of the night, we had put the finishing touches on our factum. I headed home exhausted but proud of my work. Around 10 am the next morning an email from opposing counsel arrived, enclosing an offer to settle. With our client’s best interests in mind, we settled which of course amounted to the immediate abandonment of the factum.

What’s an entire night’s worth of work and an unserved factum? The understanding that it’s all a means to an end.

Freedom.

With a fast-paced setting comes a mountain of work. MB entrusts its summer students with a lot of responsibility, including carriage over 8-12 Small Claims files. It is up to each student to track deadlines and limitation periods, update clients, draft pleadings, and push the file forward. The work may appear daunting at first but you receive a lot of direction, whether you have solicited it or lawyers sit down with you and offer their words of wisdom.

Your summer is what you make it, whether it is managing your workload or the hours that you put in on a daily basis. Harvey may look over what Mike does but he also expects Mike to pull his own weight.

It’s a great feeling to know you’re building your career in a supportive environment that offers you the excitement of gaining a variety of new experiences everyday. As Harvey Specter once said, “the only time “success” comes before “work” is in the dictionary.” He really does have the best lines.

Christine L.