Lights… Camera… Law! Why Hollywood Needs to Hire Attorneys

We have all seen them and they have given us some of the most famous quotes in cinema…but you want the truth?  Hopefully you can handle the truth.  That truth being that Hollywood has historically misrepresented what it means to be an attorney.  

Portraying Attorneys in Hollywood

Attorneys have been portrayed across Hollywood since the dawn of the silver screen.  During the Golden Age of Hollywood most lawyers were portrayed by men, but slowly female legal minds started to trickle their way in as the decades passed.  Despite the character, attorneys have always been portrayed in a couple of ways: the ethical dilemma lawyers, like those seen in The Devil’s Advocate and hero lawyers, like those seen in Erin Brockovich or A Civil Action.

However, the fact of the matter is that the movies don’t quite get it right when it comes to portraying the nitty gritty of what lawyers do, and how much work goes into any kind of legal case. Watching movies that have legal components can make a lot of lawyers crazy.  I know I have been known to shout at the screen phrases such as “That’s not actually how that works!” and “Couldn’t they just hire a lawyer to get that right?” So here I am to dispel some myths about the legal profession that Hollywood has created.

Myths About Portraying Attorneys in Hollywood

First, no legal case gets wrapped up nicely in a pretty bow in less than two hours.  The fact of the matter is that most legal cases take a LONG time to resolve.  Hollywood often portrays the legal process as being swift moving, but in reality most cases can take years to resolve. The legal process is long and arduous, with a lot of rules and regulations along the way to what we can and cannot do, and most of the time, attorneys cannot control the outside factors that delay cases.  

Second, we are not as powerful as we are made out to be. Hollywood loves drama, so most portrayals of attorneys and courtrooms are very over the top.  In my 13 years of practice, I have never once heard an attorney shout “Objection!” at the top of their lungs to get a judge’s attention.  Attorneys are generally very friendly with each other.  We recognize that we both have a job to do, but very rarely does it end up in a heated battle of wits and legalese.  Most of the time we are just trying to come to an agreement so that everyone walks away satisfied.

Finally, we are not as glamorous as you might think.  Most lawyers created in Hollywood are portrayed as big shots, with expensive cars, tailored suits, and big houses.  Realistically, unless your attorney works in New York City for a large corporation or major metropolitan firm, they aren’t swimming in the lap of luxury.  That is to say, we are just average people doing a job we love to make a living.  You very rarely see a movie about a Social Security disability attorney making things right for people who can’t work, because its not glamorous, but that doesn’t make it less important.

Bross & Frankel, P.A. Attorneys – Real Life People Ready to Help You

At Bross & Frankel, you are more likely to find attorneys who look, dress and talk like you…and perhaps a furry K-9 assisting with office duties onsite.  We are relatable, down-to-earth and empathic about the challenges that individuals face who are applying for disability benefits.  If you need help filing for disability benefits or appealing a denial, our team would be happy to review your claim for free.  You can call our office at (856) 795-8880 or fill out our online contact form.