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NBC's The Law Firm: A Review

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Thu Aug 04, 2005 at 09:43:16 PM EST
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I got to watch NBC's The Law Firm tonight. It's an Apprentice-type show with young aspiring trial lawyers, presided over by one of the profession's best, Roy Black. Roy plays the part of The Donald, letting two associates go each week.

My review: The contestants were entirely forgettable, except for Olivier who cursed the judge when he lost the hearing, and Deep, whom I predict is destined to be fired along the road, but who in personality, reminded me so much of Federico of Six Feet Under - with that macho bravado one moment coupled with desperation and humility when he fails in the next.

The only shining star in the show, to no suprise, is Roy Black. He totally plays himself. Roy is great at legal commentary, but you don't really get a sense of him in those 30 second soundbites. On the Law Firm, you get to see him as he really is, and he's great. (Disclosure: Roy is a personal friend of mine as well as a colleague.)

The other great moment of tonight's show went to Burt Katz (another friend, former judge and prosecutor, MSNBC legal analyst and show anchor - definitely with a conservative bent )who played the judge in one of the segments. His delivery of the verdict was priceless, and pure Burt.

Being a legal analyst is one thing. If you're a good mouthpiece, and most prosecutors and defense counsel are, it's a piece of cake. The camera doesn't mean anything. It's like being in court, you get one shot. But playing a role, even when you're playing yourself, is acting, and that's a whole different ball of wax. There are interminable delays for lighting, sound and most of all, retakes, which I think totally takes the spontaneity out it. Not to mention, sometimes you have to shoot scenes out of sequence. I know, I tried it, and I didn't come close to having the talent that I saw in Roy and Burt tonight, or even to my own on live television. The only other lawyer I know who has pulled it off on a network or movie level is Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, formerly one of the all time great defense lawyers.

My prediction: If this legal reality show business takes off, the next two you will see playing themselves are my pals Rikki Klieman and Mickey Sherman. The rest of us legal talking heads will continue as pundits - or maybe rise to host of a tv or radio talk show or some other form of live or interactive media - but reality tv? That takes an actor, not just an advocate and a mouthpiece.

Major compliments to David Kelley for having the foresight to land Roy for the role in the Law Firm. Whatever Roy is being paid, NBC got a bargain.

P.S. Memo to Dick Wolf: You don't have to be a prosecutor to play a lawyer with integrity on tv.

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    NBC's The Law Firm: A Review | 6 comments (6 topical)
    Re: NBC's The Law Firm: A Review (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:57 PM EST
    I’m a lawyer who has been a litigator for all 17 years since law school. Here’s my no-fun, eat-your-peas, spoilsport take on the show: I hate the way it highlights and even encourages conflict among the associates, including their childish, backbiting comments. I realize that this is required by the reality show format, but the legal world already has too many unpleasant lawyers who engage in childish behavior. God forbid young lawyers should think this is how they are supposed to behave. I’ve been disappointed that Black hasn’t commented on this phenomenon, or taken action to reward cooperation and teamwork -- an absolutely essential quality in trial work -- and to punish those who grandstand or snipe at their fellow associates on camera. In that vein, I was appalled that Black didn’t fire Olivier’s ass the minute they got in the room last night. Losing one’s cool and swearing in front of a judge -- the former being far worse than the latter; Olivier should have been fired for the tantrum, even if the language had been G-rated -- is 100% inexcusable. I think the show is sending a very bad message both to and about our profession. - Amy

    Re: NBC's The Law Firm: A Review (none / 0) (#2)
    by desertswine on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:58 PM EST
    But all the lawyerettes are young, svelte, and beautiful; just like real life.

    Re: NBC's The Law Firm: A Review (none / 0) (#3)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:58 PM EST
    "The only other lawyer I know who has pulled it off [acting] on a network or movie level is Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman" I don't know, Fred Thompson has some chops...but he used to be a prosecutor, so maybe you don't appreciate his talents? ;-) Anyway, "The rest of us legal talking heads will continue as pundits - or maybe rise to host of a tv or radio talk show or some other form of live or interactive media" JM, is this your goal?

    Re: NBC's The Law Firm: A Review (none / 0) (#4)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:59 PM EST
    JARS Just Another Reality Show. About as real a Michael Jsckson's complexion.

    Re: NBC's The Law Firm: A Review (none / 0) (#5)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:59 PM EST
    #^#%%!

    Re: NBC's The Law Firm: A Review (none / 0) (#6)
    by Paralegal on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:20 PM EST
    Isn't reality TV supposed to be "real"? Reading the TL comment that "...reality tv? That takes an actor, not just an advocate and a mouthpiece. " made me wonder --why not hire actors to pretend to be real people? There's nothing real about reality TV. I watched this show once & found it unimpressive and read it's already been cancelled. I know Mickey Sherman is an FOTL but he is constantly moaning about how jurors & others court the media when he is among the biggest culprits.

    NBC's The Law Firm: A Review | 6 comments (6 topical)