Perfect Movies for Law Students

Amidst studying and stressing during law school, you should take some time to relax with your friends--so grab some drinks, curl up on your couch, make some popcorn, and enjoy these movies that'll give you a break from worrying about your own law school experience.

Legally Blonde

Is anyone shocked this is the first movie I'm recommending? This is an iconic movie full of hilarious quotes, and there's something special about watching an underdog rise to the top and succeed.

The Paper Chase

This is an Oscar-winning film about a 1L at Harvard attempting to balance his tough classes and his relationship with the daughter of his strictest professor. It showcases the Socratic method in a contract law class and it has me hoping I never have a professor who grills me as much as the students in this movie get grilled.

Twelve Angry Men

Even if you haven't see this movie, you've definitely watched references to this iconic movie. What starts out as an open-and-shut criminal case becomes a series of doubts created by each jurists' prejudices regarding the case and the other jurists as they attempt to reach a verdict.

Erin Brockovich

I love movies based on real-life events. This film follows an unemployed single mother who takes on the job of a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a multi-million dollar company with the help of her legal office. It was nominated for tons of awards, and even won an Oscar.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Forget what you remember about this from being forced to read the book in middle school. After all, it's a classic for a reason! The movie is about a Depression-era lawyer in the South who must defend a black man accused of rape, while also teaching his children about the horrors of prejudice and racism.

My Cousin Vinny

Honestly, out of all the movies on my list, this is my absolute favorite. After getting arrested in the South, being accused of murder and robbery, and tried to be executed, two boys need the help of one of their cousins, a loudmouthed lawyer who has never been at trial. If the plot isn't enough to convince you, how can you go wrong with Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, and Ralph Macchio?

A Few Good Men

In this movie, Tom Cruise plays an inexperienced Navy lawyer who is charged with defending two Marines accused of murder. Truthfully, I'm a sucker for anything with Jack Nicholson in it, but don't forget that it won for Oscars!

The Verdict

Although there are plenty of movies about washed-up lawyers overcoming their issues and rising above adversity, this one feels unique because of how fantastic the acting and story are.

A Civil Action

Woohoo, another court movie based on a true trial! This one follows the story of a young lawyer who risks bankrupting himself and his firm by getting involved with a case against a major company accused of causing several children to contract leukemia from a town's drinking water.

Do you have any more recommendations for movies?

xoxo,

Rachel