NQ blog - August 2016: What does the average Scottish solicitor have in common with Harvey Specter?

I’ve recently started watching the TV series Suits. For those of you who have seen it, you will know that real life legal practice isn’t quite exactly like that which is portrayed in the series (unlike one of the protagonists, Harvey Specter, no lawyer can win a case by confidently striding into a courtroom and simply saying a few long-winded legal sentences!) but you will also notice some remarkably realistic portrayals and there are some moments in the series which really hit home.

One of my favourite episodes includes an interaction between one of the solicitors and his client and includes a brilliant quote which I think is true to all professions, not just law: ‘Loyalty is a two-way street. If I’m asking it from you then you’re getting it from me.’ It really hit home to me that a crucial part of the solicitor’s job is to be a trusted adviser - clients rightly expect their agent to act in their best interests at all times.

So, although we can’t stride into courtrooms in the dramatic style of Harvey Specter, we are always at the coalface trying to represent our clients to the best of our ability and the solicitor’s role can help improve a client’s life. As I was watching a few episodes this weekend, it also struck a chord how frequently the solicitors in Suits change between various areas of legal practice. This resonates with me as I have had the benefit of training in several different areas of law (all litigation focused, rather than transactional, but distinct, separate areas of litigation nonetheless).

This also benefits clients who sometimes seek advice on a number of different areas of law. They might seek help with a criminal matter and, in the process of discussing this, the client mentions they are seeking to get divorced or they have an upcoming children’s panel but no solicitor to represent them. Therefore it isn’t strange to discuss several different practice areas in the one appointment. Ultimately, the client leaves your office feeling satisfied that they have a trusted adviser who is able to take care of all of their legal matters.