10 Legal dramas to warmup for Suits L.A

Legal dramas have always fascinated audiences because of cases with high stakes, complex moral characters, and courtroom fights. Series like Suits have set the bar on how to take legal maneuvering to a new level using charm, wit, and cutthroat negotiations. If you have exhausted Suits and need the next high-octane legal drama to immerse yourself in, there are enough brilliant suggestions here to gratify.

Boston Legal's corporate scheming may be more to your liking, or maybe it's The Good Wife's political machinations or Damages' darker psychological twists. Each of these series has its flavor in describing the life and times of legal practitioners: some carry the perspective of younger lawyers learning the ropes, while others show seasoned attorneys amidst the peak of their careers.

Here are ten legal dramas put together that will keep you entertained with very riveting storylines, characters, and all kinds of legal drama. So whether you're one for fast-talking solicitors or even just the biggest showdown in a courtroom, there's something here for everyone.

1) Boston Legal (2004–2008)

Pre-dating Suits was Boston Legal, a court dramedy featuring James Spader and William Shatner. Written by David E. Kelley, the show revolved around the quirky but brilliant lawyers at Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Its blend of razor-sharp legal sparring, wacky humor, and challenging social commentary paved the way for stylishly attired charismatic lawyers. Similar to Harvey Spectre, Spader's Alan Shore was the epitome of charming and ruthless. If you're a fan of smart-aleck banter, legal finagling, and courtroom drama, Boston Legal is a definite must-see.

2) The Good Wife (2009–2016)

Alicia Florrick's makeover from scandal-plagued politician's wife to force to be reckoned with lawyer turned The Good Wife into TV's most riveting legal drama. With an all-star cast headed by Julianna Margulies, the series expertly combined courtroom wars with political machinations and personal crises. It also welcomed the fiery Diane Lockhart and the mysterious Kalinda Sharma, two women who redefined toughness in legal dramas. In contrast to Suits' success with corporate law disputes, The Good Wife featured both criminal and civil law and thus had a richer, more varied legal landscape.

3) The Good Fight (2017–2022)

A spin-off from The Good Wife, the critically acclaimed show made bold and contemporary strides in legal drama. Featuring Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, the series delved into politically charged cases, racial tension, and technology-driven courtroom fights. Its unapologetic approach to current affairs made it a standout in its genre. Whereas Suits was concerned with office politics and big-ticket deals, The Good Fight addressed the changing face of law in the age of social media and disinformation. If you enjoy crisp, politically charged storytelling, this is an ideal sequel.

4) L.A. Law (1986–1994)

This is a real classic: the very first legal drama pioneer into the shows destined for such a fate as Suits. Created by Steven Bochco, the series concerns the life of a lawyer in a Los Angeles-based prestigious firm, featuring personal conflicts with the complex and high-stake manifestations of legal cases. Show themes have metamorphosed with the changing world, while ambition, ethics, and power struggles may be timeless topics. A revival may be planned, but you can see great legal dramas never fade.

5) Damages (2007–2012)

If you enjoyed the power plays and mind games in Suits, Damages will do that on a larger scale. Starring Glenn Close as the cutthroat Patty Hewes and Rose Byrne as her ambitious protégée, this legal thriller offered high-stakes cases with psychological warfare. Contrary to what is expected of courtroom dramas, Damages revolved around manipulations behind the scenes and ruthless legal wars. The non-linear structure of the show and the stunning twists had everyone watching on tenterhooks, and it's a refreshing addition to the legal drama genre.

6) How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020)

If Suits was winning corporate law at any price, How to Get Away with Murder applied that credo to criminal defense. Viola Davis's Annalise Keating was a law professor and high-powered lawyer whose students were drawn into murder cover-ups. The show combined legal maneuvering with a murder mystery, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with surprise twists. Whereas Suits excelled at biting negotiations, this series excelled at suspense, which makes it a perfect option for viewers who like legal dramas with an exciting spin.

7) For the People (2018–2019)

Referred to as the Grey's Anatomy of Legalese, For the People introduced a fresh new flavor to the genre. The show focused on fresh young lawyers in the field, both prosecuting and defending, putting a healthy emphasis on the justice system and sharingan created by Shonda Rhimes. With such emotionality and stakes attached to each case, it unfortunately did not last long, but much like Suits with corporate law, it has added a modern-day reality to the legal drama scene. Here's your fresh choice for looking at law from a new and youthful vista.

8) Goliath (2016–2021)

Billy Bob Thornton plays a has-been lawyer trying to redeem himself in this gritty legal drama. In contrast to the high-gloss universe of Suits, Goliath goes into the seedy underbelly of the legal system, revealing corruption and political machinations. The cases on the show were regularly based in real-world issues, which made it all the more relevant. With engaging performances and a lead character who's as brilliant as he is brilliant, Goliath brings a different but equally compelling perspective to the world of lawyers.

9) Ally McBeal (1997–2002)

If you liked the office politics in Suits, Ally McBeal is a more lighthearted, quirky version of life as a lawyer. Starring Calista Flockhart, the series combined legal cases with offbeat humor and love stories. Though not as dramatic as Suits, it was its own thing, with a focus on the career and personal challenges of a young lawyer. The use of fantasy sequences and the off-kilter tone in the show rendered it one of the most original legal dramas at the time.

10) Your Honor (2020–2023)

Bryan Cranston stars in the latest series as a respected judge who finds that moral compass starting to waver when his son is involved in a hit-and-run. Unlike Suits, in which business-law power plays are pitted against one another, Your Honor examines the assumption that the legal system is murky when applied to ethical dilemmas. The series crafts an excellent element of how far one actually goes to protect family, painting lines of abstraction between right and wrong. Brilliant in that nail-biting storytelling, mighty performances, and edge-off thought-provoking legal conflict, Your Honor is a darker but superbly compelling alternative to legal drama enthusiasts.