Getting it Right: Top 10 Realistic Legal TV Shows
By Noah Bolmer
While most legal television shows are designed to entertain, not educate, occasionally a showrunner will go above and beyond in verisimilitude. These shows generally do the best job of reflecting the complexities, ethical dilemmas, and procedural realities of the legal system—even when they still take liberties for dramatic effect.
Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
Widely praised by legal professionals—and the most-nominated (53 times!) show to not win an Emmy—this Breaking Bad spinoff/prequel provides an exceptionally deep and nuanced look into the darker corners of a small practice.
Better Call Saul chronicles the transformation of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), a well-meaning but struggling public defender (and former conman), into the ethically compromised criminal defense lawyer Saul Goodman. Set years before the events of Breaking Bad, the series delves into Saul’s complex relationships, particularly with his older brother Chuck McGill (Michael McKean), a brilliant but troubled attorney, and his romantic interest Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) as he navigates the legal world and slowly succumbs to his lesser tendencies, becoming entangled within the criminal underworld of Albuquerque.
The series depicts the arduous process of client acquisition, billing, drafting documents, and the tedious nature of court hearings (that extend beyond a single episode), as well as the ethical tightropes some lawyers walk. The show’s commitment to portraying these oft-overlooked aspects of the job, coupled with its accurate depiction of plea bargaining and procedural maneuvers, makes it a standout in terms of legal realism. However, even with its meticulous detail, the speed at which Saul builds and shifts his reputation, and accelerated pacing are dramatized compared to the real world.
Murder One (1995-1997)
This groundbreaking (albeit short-lived) series revolutionized the format by dedicating an entire season to a single, complex murder trial. This unique approach allowed for an unprecedented level of detail in depicting the lengthy discovery process, witness preparation, strategic maneuvers, and the slow, grinding pace of a high-stakes legal battle.
The first season centers on the firm of defense attorney Ted Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) as they represent a Hollywood actor accused of murdering a fifteen-year-old girl. The series intricately weaves through the complexities of the legal process, media circus, and personal lives of those involved—all while uncovering layers of deception and manipulation as Hoffman works to reveal the true killer.
Its procedural accuracy and focus on one case over many episodes, rather than a then-common “case of the week” serial, provides a sense of the time and effort involved in a major trial. Despite its commitment to a realistic timeline, the consistent dramatic personal connections between the legal teams and the central crime, and emergence of new, shocking twists conveniently relevant to the main characters, often stretches plausibility beyond typical real-life trials. While the first season is a must-watch classic, the second lead to its cancellation.
The Good Wife (2009-2016)
While maintaining strong dramatic elements, The Good Wife was celebrated for its sophisticated and often accurate portrayal of the complex internal politics of a large law firm. The series centers on Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), whose life is upended when her husband, a prominent state’s attorney, is jailed following a public sex and political corruption scandal. After years as a stay-at-home mother, Alicia re-enters the legal world as a junior litigator to support her two children. The series follows her journey competing in a cutthroat law firm, and rebuilding her life and reputation amidst the persistent shadow of her husband’s scandal and constant media scrutiny.
Much of the show’s staff—from executive producer to many of the writers—were attorneys, leading to a more realistic show. The series frequently explored timely legal issues, ranging from cybersecurity to cryptocurrency, and consistently demonstrated a solid understanding of both civil and criminal litigation. Nevertheless, the sheer volume of major, high-profile cases the firm simultaneously handles—often resolving with lightning speed for television—remains a TV trope that doesn’t necessarily depict the caseload of a real firm.
Expert bonus: Check out S6E13 “Open Source” where a prominent ballistics expert’s testimony is crucial in a 3D-printed gun case, and S2E15 “Silver Bullet” which explores liability for past expert opinions.
The Practice (1997-2004)
David E. Kelley’s (Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, Goliath among others) first legal drama offered a grittier and more ethically charged perspective on defense. The Practice delves into the intense ethical and moral dilemmas faced by the attorneys at a small Boston law firm, initially led by senior partner Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott). The series follows the firm’s ensemble cast of dedicated lawyers, including Ellenor Frutt (Camryn Manheim), Eugene Young (Steve Harris), Lindsay Dole (Kelli Williams), and Jimmy Berluti (Michael Badalucco), as they take on high-stakes criminal and civil cases, often defending clients who are morally ambiguous (or outright guilty). The show explores the conflict between seeking justice and the practical realities of the legal system, frequently putting the lawyers’ personal beliefs and professional responsibilities at odds.
It distinguished itself by frequently presenting cases where the attorneys had to defend clients they believed were guilty, forcing them to confront the moral ambiguities and compromises inherent in the justice system. While still condensing trial timelines, the show delved into the strategic decisions, witness preparation, and the significant psychological toll that legal work can exert, providing a more grounded portrayal of the profession’s darker side than Kelley’s other contemporaneous show, Ally McBeal. However, the firm’s implausibly high success rate in winning difficult, ethically ambiguous cases (especially criminal ones) through clever courtroom maneuvers or dramatic reveals still leans into television exaggeration, as real defense firms face more frequent losses.
Expert bonus: Check out S5E1 “The Firm” where an expert witness is manipulated into supporting a defense claim.
Damages (2007-2012)
This high-stakes legal thriller excelled at portraying the long, drawn-out, and often labyrinthine nature of complex civil litigation, and in particular, class-action lawsuits. Damages features a ruthless though brilliant litigator, Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), and her ambitious protégée, Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). The series employs a non-linear narrative, often starting with a flash-forward to a shocking event, then flashing back to reveal the complex chain of circumstances that led to it. Each season revolves around a major class-action lawsuit or corporate scandal, as Patty and her firm engage in cunning (and often illicit) tactics to win—all while evolving the relationship between the pair.
While the personal dramas and betrayals were undeniably intense and fictionalized, the legal tactics employed and the procedural aspects of handling such massive cases were fairly grounded in the realities of civil litigation. Despite its procedural strengths, the extreme levels of manipulation, deception, and outright illegal activity regularly engaged in by the lead characters and their firms to win cases would probably lead to swift disbarment and criminal charges outside of Hollywood.
Expert bonus: Check out all of season two’s Daniel Purcell (William Hurt) storyline, as his scientific findings are potentially compromised by his own personal entanglements.
For Life (2020-2021)
Inspired by a true story, For Life offers a raw look at the American justice system from a distinct perspective. The series follows the extraordinary journey of Aaron Wallace (Nicholas Pinnock), a man wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. While incarcerated, Aaron becomes a licensed lawyer and dedicates his time to litigating cases for other inmates, all while fighting tirelessly to overturn his own unjust conviction. The series explores Aaron’s unwavering pursuit of justice, the sacrifices made by his family, and his complex relationships with those inside and outside the prison walls, including the reform-minded Warden Safiya Masry (Indira Varma) and the prosecutor who put him away, Glen Maskins (Boris McGiver).
The series shines a light on the intricate process of appeals, post-conviction relief, and the systemic challenges faced by those seeking justice from within the prison system. Its portrayal of legal research, appeals court procedures, and the uphill battle against institutional inertia lends it a strong sense of realism. While grounded, the speed at which significant legal victories—particularly the overturning of major convictions—are achieved for multiple clients within episodic television is considerably compressed compared to the truly glacial pace of real appeals and post-conviction relief efforts.
Goliath (2016-2021)
Like Damages, Goliath focuses on large-scale civil litigation, pitting an underdog legal team against powerful, well-funded adversaries. The show centers on Billy McBride (Billy Bob Thornton), a once-powerful lawyer who hit rock bottom and became a washed-up ambulance chaser after a client he acquitted committed a horrific crime. Divorced, and estranged from his former prestigious law firm, he gets a chance at redemption when he reluctantly takes on a seemingly straightforward wrongful death lawsuit. This case, however, quickly escalates into a sprawling conspiracy against his old firm and its powerful, corrupt clients, forcing Billy and his ragtag team, including the determined Patty Solis-Papagian (Nina Arianda) and assistant Brittany Gold (Tania Raymonde), to fight against overwhelming odds.
The show effectively highlights the “David vs. Goliath” nature of such battles, emphasizing the immense resources required, the numerous procedural hurdles faced by smaller firms, and the strategic complexities of taking on seemingly insurmountable cases. Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of a flawed human adds a layer of realism in showing the personal toll that can be exacted within the legal profession. Nonetheless, Billy McBride’s remarkable and consistent ability to take on and defeat massive, well-resourced corporate law firms, often despite his disheveled state and unorthodox methods, still stretches the bounds of typical legal outcomes in such imbalanced fights.
Expert bonus: Check out S1E5 “Cover Your Ass” for some unconventional expert witness preparation.
L.A. Law (1986-1994)
This highly influential and award-winning series was a staple of 1980s and 90s television, offering a sophisticated look into the lives and cases of a large Los Angeles law firm. L.A. Law chronicles the professional and personal lives of the diverse group of attorneys, led by the seasoned Leland McKenzie (Richard Dysart). The firm handles a wide array of cases—from corporate litigation to emotionally charged domestic disputes. The series delves into the complexities of legal ethics, social issues, and office politics, with a focus on character-driven storylines and the evolution of its dynamic cast.
L.A. Law was known for its willingness to tackle complex, controversial social issues of the day. While it largely conformed to a case-of-the-week format, the show maintained overarching plots that could last an entire season. Nevertheless, the rapid-fire resolution of complex cases—which in reality would involve extensive discovery and lengthy pre-trial motions—represents a significant compression of actual legal timelines for the sake of episodic storytelling.
All Rise (2019-2023)
This series attempts to provide a broader and more grounded portrayal of the day-to-day operations within a Los Angeles courthouse, featuring judges, prosecutors, and public defenders. All Rise follows the chaotic and hopeful professional and personal lives of judges, prosecutors, and public defenders in a Los Angeles County courthouse. At its center is Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick), a former prosecutor who transitions to the bench with an idealistic vision of justice. The series explores the challenges they face in a flawed legal system, often grappling with moral dilemmas and systemic biases, as they strive to uphold the law while navigating their own complicated relationships and personal struggles.
It highlights the high volume of cases handled in the court system, the pervasive nature of plea bargaining, and the pressures faced by different legal professionals across various roles. While still subject to dramatization, it offers a more comprehensive view of the legal system’s interconnected components than shows focusing solely on one firm or type of law. Despite its broad scope, the sheer volume of highly dramatic, emotionally charged cases that get resolved (or nearly resolved) within a single day or very short span, along with the frequent personal intertwining of judges, prosecutors, and public defenders, often stretches the reality of a busy, often mundane, court docket.
Expert bonus: Check out S3E4 “Troubled Man” where a DNA expert’s understanding of transplants changes the course of a case.
Your Honor (2020-2023)
This limited series offers a darker, more intense look at the legal system, primarily through the lens of a respected judge forced to compromise his ethics to protect his son. Your Honor features Michael Desiato (Bryan Cranston), a highly respected New Orleans judge whose life is thrown into turmoil when his teenage son is involved in a hit-and-run accident that kills the son of a powerful mob kingpin. Michael, initially urging his son to confess, quickly changes his mind when he realizes the victim’s identity, leading him to engage in a dangerous and escalating series of lies, cover-ups, and morally compromising decisions to protect his child. The series explores the lengths a father will go to save his son, blurring the lines between justice and corruption in a desperate attempt to shield his family from the mob’s vengeance.
While the central premise is a dramatic hook, the show delves into the machinations of the justice system, including the influence of organized crime. The core unreality lies in the sheer extent and escalating nature of the respected judge’s criminal activity and corruption, and his sustained ability to evade detection for an extended period, which takes the “compromised ethics” theme to an extreme that is highly improbable in the real legal world.
Conclusion
With hundreds of legal TV shows running the gamut from quirky comedy to serious drama, a handful stand above the rest. Remember that accuracy isn’t everything in media, and some of the most entertaining legal shows have been some of the least accurate portrayals of the profession. Happy watching!
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