How to be a Lawyer: 3 Law School Films for Law Students

 

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Introduction

Films on courtroom and other legal dramas are plenty – To Kill A Mockingbird, The Trial, A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, to name a few. But films on law schools and actual hardships/triumphs of every law students are very few.

The purpose of this paper is to present to all law students films that they can relate and, hopefully, learn from it. All films considered here were about the life of students in law schools in their daily challenges and victories.

The Paper Chase

Coming out in 1973, this the first movie that shows the struggle of a 1^st year law student at Harvard Law School, one of the toughest law schools of America until now. This was based on the novel of the same title, written by a Harvard Law Alumna which chronicles his daily struggles at law school. We see how Professor Kingsfield shows the full glory of the Socratic method. Failure to answer his queries will result to public humiliation and even mental breakdown. A simple reminder prior to undergoing the Socratic Method: (i) the list of relevant cases; (ii) reference books/materials; and (iii) schedule should be given before the first meeting to make the Socratic method effective and a true learning experience. We see how students continuously push themselves to study to excel in their exams. As the semester goes on, some of their students dropped from Harvard but some still continue to study. Even if you have photographic memory. An analytical mind is needed in law school and the legal profession to be able to adapt to the ever-changing environment. A complication arises when James, the main protagonist, fell in love to girl who was the daughter of the dreaded Professor Kingsfield. While James was spending more time studying, his girlfriend felt she was no longer important.

When the finals was nearing, James broke up with his girlfriend, break in to the restricted area of the library to read Professor Kingsfield’s contract law notes, and trash a hotel room while studying for their exams. When the results came, James just didn’t care anymore. An ironic ending. The movie shows how hard to stay and study in law school. It will measure your steadfastness and focus to achieve your goal to become a lawyer.

Side Note: John Houseman, who portrayed Professor Kingsfield, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his effort.

Quote: “You come in here with a skull full of mush, and you leave thinking like a lawyer.” - Professor Kingsfield

By the way, this was the last movie that I’ve watched in this list since I have to procure a copy from a movie library but was worth with.

Legally Blonde

Released in 2001, the movie was story of Elle Woods, a graduating Fashion Merchandising Major, who went to Harvard Law School to be with her man (who broke up with her because she was not worthy of political ambitions). She may look like your typical “dumb blonde” but has the brains to back up her looks. She is bright – head of her sorority chapter, active in social events, and fashion smart. To get into Harvard, she studied hard to get better grade point average, passed the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and prepared a very different video essay. She passed.

At Harvard, Elle’s sunny and colorful disposition (and clothing) provides a stark contrast to the serious nature of her fellow students. She was in all the classes of her former boyfriend to be able to impress him. In her classes, she was overwhelmed by the expectations of her professors and taunts of her classmates. She walked out of the class and was thinking of going back to her hometown. An associate professor talked to her and inspired to strive on. Slowly, she able to catch up with her lessons, got good grades and join an apprenticeship program for a law firm. In a murder case, she show her brilliance as a lawyer using her knowledge as a fashionista.

This film shows that becoming a lawyer do require lots of focus, study and persistence. You may got in for the wrong reasons but somehow came out as a better person.

Side Note: The film was commercial and critical success leading to a sequel, a spin-off and a musical.

Quote: “It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world. Remembering that first impressions are not always correct. You must always have faith in people, and, most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.” - Elle Woods’ graduation speech.

Bar Boys

Released in 2017, the movie follows a group of friends in their quest to become lawyers. Among the four, Josh was not able to get into law school because he failed the entrance exam. He pursued another career but felt being the outcast in the group. Torran, coming from a middle class family, is a cool and over-confident student with a sharp tongue and photographic memory. Chris is the bright rich kid who could have studied in an Ivy League school but chose to stay in the Philippines for the sake of love. Erik is the poor student who wants to fulfill the dream of his parents for him to be lawyer.

The movie shows the daily struggles and triumphs of every law students. The film explore almost all aspects of law school students’ life – from the entrance exams to photocopying cases to answering during recitations. Each student faced different challenges every law school student faces. Torran tackles the moral dilemma of fraternity violence. Chris, while excelling in school, was hiding his English-challenged girlfriend from his father who has high expectations of him. Erik has to struggle to law school with all the requirements, school bills and parents’ struggle to support him. Josh shows how he felt left as his friends continue their law school studies without him. Their professors, particular Justice Hernandez, show how hard the recitation is.

Eventually, their struggles made them stronger to faced the toughest test of them all – the bar exams. The film almost accurately portray the daily struggles every law students faced. A must-see.

Side Note: Odette Khan, portraying Justice Hernandez’s character, won the Star Awards for Best Supporting Actress – her first acting award.

Quote: “You think nothing! I don’t care about what you think! I don’t care about everybody’s opinion! You just give me an answer!” - Justice Hernandez’s tirade during a recitation.

Conclusion

The films will give you an idea how hard to be in law school. The readings. The recitations. The examinations. But once you passed the bar, all your efforts are worth it.