The world of legal dramas on television often straddles the line between captivating fiction and the stark realities of the legal profession. ‘How to Get Away with Murder,’ a series that has garnered significant attention, presents a thrilling narrative centered around law school and criminal law. But how much of what we see on screen reflects the actual experiences of law students and practicing attorneys? Let’s delve into the series and examine its portrayal of legal education and the professional landscape.
Viola Davis as Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder classroom
Viola Davis commanding presence as Annalise Keating, a law professor in “How to Get Away With Murder”, embodying a powerful, yet complex character within the legal drama. Image from disneyabcpress.com.
The Allure of the Adjunct Professor: Annalise Keating’s Magnetic Pedagogy
One of the initial hooks of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ is the character of Annalise Keating, portrayed by the formidable Viola Davis. Keating is not your typical ivory tower academic; she’s a practicing, highly successful criminal defense attorney who also teaches a coveted course on trial skills. The show accurately captures the appeal of adjunct professors – legal professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom.
In law schools, adjunct professors, often working lawyers or judges, are highly valued for their practical insights. Students flock to their courses, recognizing the immense benefit of learning from someone actively engaged in the field. The series rightly highlights this dynamic, showing students eager to absorb Keating’s hard-earned wisdom from the trenches of the legal system. Her class is depicted as intensely competitive and sought after, mirroring the reality where courses taught by experienced practitioners are often the most popular.
However, the show takes some liberties for dramatic effect. Keating’s almost celebrity-like status within the law school and the almost cult-like devotion of her students are exaggerations. While adjunct professors are respected, the level of mystique and fear portrayed in the series is amplified for television. The dramatic monologue Keating delivers on the first day, warning students about the brutal realities of a legal career, while impactful, is a theatrical heightening of the kind of frank discussions that might occur, but rarely with such dramatic flair.
Trial by Fire: The Intense Law School Environment and Student Selection
‘How to Get Away with Murder’ also touches upon the pressure-cooker environment of law school. The scene where Annalise Keating dismisses a student on the first day for a faltering answer, while extreme, taps into the anxieties and high-stakes atmosphere that many law students experience. The competitive nature of law school is palpable, and the show effectively conveys the sense that not everyone is cut out for the legal profession.
The series correctly reflects the demanding nature of law school, particularly courses focused on practical skills. Professors, especially those with real-world experience, often push students to think on their feet and perform under pressure, simulating the courtroom environment. The idea that professors might challenge students rigorously, even abruptly, is rooted in reality. The goal is to prepare students for the adversarial nature of legal practice, where quick thinking and resilience are crucial.
Nevertheless, the depiction of Keating expelling students from her class on the spot for not meeting her immediate, subjective standards is a dramatic exaggeration. While professors can be demanding and might advise students to reconsider their path, the level of arbitrary dismissal shown is highly unlikely in any accredited law school. Law school enrollment is not typically a privilege revoked on a whim, and academic institutions have procedures for student conduct and course enrollment that are far more structured than portrayed. The scene serves to emphasize Keating’s power and the high stakes of her class, rather than reflect actual law school policies.
The Harsh Realities of the Legal Job Market and Professional Blacklisting
Beyond the classroom drama, ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ ventures into the challenging landscape of legal employment. The storyline where Annalise Keating faces professional blacklisting after accepting a new job offer highlights a genuine, albeit often less sensationalized, concern within the legal profession. The legal job market is indeed competitive and can be fickle, and an attorney’s past actions can have significant repercussions on their career prospects.
The show touches upon the reality that an attorney’s reputation is paramount. Missteps, ethical breaches, or even high-profile, controversial cases can impact an attorney’s employability. Law firms are concerned about their reputations, malpractice insurance, and client relations. The idea that past “transgressions” could lead to job offers being rescinded and future opportunities being limited is not entirely fictional. Within close-knit legal communities, word travels fast, and an attorney’s professional history is often scrutinized.
However, the extent of blacklisting depicted in the series, where multiple firms retract offers due to vague “past transgressions” and political pressure, seems amplified for dramatic purposes. While professional repercussions exist, the scenario presented borders on the extreme. It serves to create high stakes and personal conflict for the main character, driving the narrative forward. In reality, while an attorney might face challenges due to past issues, a complete industry-wide blacklisting of this nature is less common.
Conclusion: Entertainment vs. Authenticity in Legal Dramas
‘How to Get Away with Murder’ provides an engaging and thrilling look into the world of law school and legal practice. While it captures certain authentic elements – the allure of experienced adjunct professors, the pressure of law school, and the competitiveness of the legal job market – it significantly embellishes and dramatizes these aspects for entertainment value.
The series excels at creating compelling characters and intricate plotlines, prioritizing dramatic tension over strict realism. For viewers seeking an accurate portrayal of the day-to-day realities of law school or legal practice, ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ might fall short. However, as a piece of legal drama, it succeeds in captivating audiences and sparking interest in the legal world, albeit through a fictionalized and heightened lens. The show ultimately leans into the “thriller” aspect, offering a sensationalized and gripping narrative, rather than a documentary-style depiction of the legal profession.
Adam Banner
Adam R. Banner is the founder and lead attorney at the Oklahoma Legal Group, a criminal defense law firm in Oklahoma City. His practice focuses solely on state and federal criminal defense. He represents the accused against allegations of sex crimes, violent crimes, drug crimes and white collar crimes.
The intersection of law and pop culture continues to fascinate, and ‘How to Get Away with Murder,’ while taking creative liberties, contributes to this ongoing dialogue by presenting a dramatic, if not always entirely realistic, view of the legal world.
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