The Heart of the Matter

Contrary to popular belief, lawyers generally don’t go into the profession for  the glory of billable hours, mountains of paperwork and the ever changing matrix of rules and regulations. Most lawyers have fallen into a self deprecating love/hate relationship with the ideals of justice, fairness and arguing for what is right when the lawmakers may say it is wrong.

In an effort to show the more human side of the lawyers at Turner Freeman we have taken a basic straw poll from around our Sunshine Coast office to compile our Top 10 legal shows or movies. Some days drama does occur at the office in Maroochydore, but mostly we prefer to enjoy getting our fix for courtroom dramas from the screens in our lounge room at home!

Sunshine Coast’s Top 10 – legal movies or TV shows:

1. Suits

This one featured at the top of the list for three of the five staff! A deserved no. 1 as we await the wedding of “Rachel” and Prince Harry in real life, the calamity of NYC big shot lawyer Harvey Specter and ‘not a lawyer on paper’ Mike Ross offers plenty of drama, ethical dilemmas and many amazing outfits!

2. The Client

Featured in two of the five TF Sunshine Coast lawyer’s lists is this fast-paced thriller based on the John Grisham bestseller. There is plenty of life and death, crime and bad guys in this one which centres on a boy whose life is endangered after he stumbles across vital information about a politician’s murder. His lawyer is the only person offering protection from the unwanted attentions of the Mob and the FBI – but is she capable of saving his life?

3. Double Jeopardy

When she discovers that not only was she (correctly) set up, but that the person who did it was her husband, she sets out for revenge, planning to exploit the double jeopardy loop hole which says a person cannot be convicted for the same crime twice.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird

Based on the Pulitzer prize winning novel by Harper Lee, the film adaption would be familiar to many law students. The central character, Atticus Finch, has served as a moral hero for many and as a model of integrity for lawyers.

5. The Lincoln Lawyer

What is a list without a mention of Matthew McConaghy. One online reviewer sums up this movie perfectly…”I like movies about smart guys who are wise-asses, and think their way out of tangles with criminals. I like courtroom scenes. I like big old cars. I like “The Lincoln Lawyer” because it involves all three.”[1]

6. A Few Good Men

Quote-worthy Jack Nicholson classic. You want the truth? “You can’t handle the truth!”

7. The Rainmaker

With a credo of “A lawyer should fight for his client, refrain from stealing money and try to tell the truth’, you know ethics are going to be at the heart of this story…and no movie list could be complete without a Matt Damon movie!

8. Ally McBeal

Possibly one of my favorite interpretations of a legal office, this 1990s gem has neurotic co-workers, daydreams and the essential complicated personal/professional relationship tension required of all TV drama series. And don’t forget the dancing baby screensaver!

9. Bones

Forensics meets crime makes for a whole generation of people interested in looking at what physical clues can tell us about a legal puzzle and how advanced technology along with brilliant minds can save the day.

10. Perry Mason movies

Our Partner here in Maroochydore regularly cites Perry Mason to clients when describing how things DON’T go down in most legal claims here at Turner Freeman!

What would make your list?

To meet our experienced lawyers and request information about our available legal services, or to discuss your personal circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact Turner Freeman Lawyers on 13 43 63.

Our Queensland offices are in Brisbane, Logan, North Lakes, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns.

[1] https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lincoln-lawyer-2011