Suits LA: How realistic is Harvey Specter? Details explored as Gabriel Macht returns for 3 episode arc

Suits LA is the spinoff of the beloved Netflix series, Suits which didn't take much time to become a phenomenon. The original series first premiered in 2011 and was immediately liked by viewers.

The show was not limited to just legal battles. It also dealt with other themes while presenting them in a stylized manner. Harvey Specter’s one-liners and Mike Ross’s photographic memory were particularly fan-favorite moments.

Like any other series, Suits during its nine-season run, evolved. Many new faces were introduced through its run as old faces left the show. It became the kind of show that made audiences believe we could walk into a courtroom, throw around a few legal terms, and win a case.

However, real-life law is not as glamorous and a lawyer like Harvey Specter doesn't really exist. His character is not very realistic and is more of an exaggerated portrayal for effect.

So how much of Harvey Specter as a lawyer in Suits reflected the actual legal world? Let’s get right into it!

Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Viewer's discretion is advised.

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Suits LA: How realistic is Harvey Specter?

Suits was an entertaining show especially because of the suave Harvey Specter. His sharp dialogues, chic fashion, and legal jargon made us fall in love with the character.

However, the portrayal of courtrooms and legal practice as portrayed in the show is not realistic.

First of all, who would even hire a lawyer without a law degree? In the real world, that's a one-way ticket to a disbarment city. Mike didn't study law so he didn't have the credentials for it. But Harvey decided to bring him in. That would not have been possible in the real world, especially for a firm with such a high reputation.

If Harvey wanted to help Mike, he could have just sponsored Mike through law school. That would have been more plausible.

Coming to the tactics used by Harvey Specter, it's all a bit too unreal. He used to employ the kind of strategies that often made us question ethical and legal boundaries. In the real world, these strategies would have been a no-go. Simply because it would have led to disbarment.

Which courtroom in the real world is full of banter and lots of spontaneous objections? That would result in contempt charges. So Suits and Suits LA both feature a very fictionalized account of the courtroom. In the real world, judges expect decorum, not drama.

Now, talk about how lengthy legal proceedings are in real life! Even someone as brilliant as Harvey would not be able to wrap cases up in just a few days or weeks when it takes months in the real world.

And the cases in Suits or Suits LA are complex ones at that. But yes, we understand. Who would even want to watch a show where the protagonist spends three episodes drafting a motion?

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Suits LA: The beginning of a new chapter

Suits: LA premiered on NBC on February 23, 2025. This time, it's set in the sunny streets of Los Angeles. The new protagonist of Suits LA is portrayed by Stephen Amell, the Arrow star. He plays Ted Black who is a former Manhattan federal prosecutor.

Ted relocates to LA to establish Black Lane Law. It is a firm catering to elite clients in the entertainment industry. So there's going to be legal drama with Hollywood glamour, all mixed into one.

Oh, and Harvey Specter has returned! Yes, Gabriel Macht is stepping into the shoes of Harvey Specter, once again, in a limited three-episode guest arc in Suits LA.

Suits and Suits LA may have taken liberties with legal realities. But without those liberties, it probably wouldn't have been such an interesting watch. The storytelling, the characters, and the script, all benefitted from the exaggerated and fictionalized bits.

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