10 moments in Suits that made no legal sense (but we let it slide)

Ah, Suits. The sharp tailoring, the power walks, the sheer audacity of Mike Ross's photographic memory - it was a legal drama that often felt more like a high-stakes fashion show with occasional courtroom scenes. We were all in, hooked on the witty banter and the improbable victories pulled out of thin air.

But let's be honest, beneath all the sleek surfaces and Harvey Specter's pronouncements of brilliance, the actual legal proceedings often resembled a fever dream experienced after watching too many episodes of Law & Order while simultaneously reading a John Grisham novel that had been partially eaten by a dog.

The show operated on its own brand of "legal realism," where the rules of evidence were more like suggestions, ethical boundaries were frequently blurred, and entire cases seemed to hinge on Harvey's ability to intimidate opposing counsel with a well-timed glare and a cutting one-liner. Yet, despite the numerous moments that would make any actual lawyer clutch their meticulously organized files in horror, we, the audience, largely let it slide. Why? Because it was just so darn entertaining! After all, who needs boring accuracy when you have Harvey and Mike outsmarting everyone with a wink and a well-placed bluff? Let the record show: entertainment trumps legal precision, at least in the hallowed halls of Pearson Specter Litt (or whatever name they were going by that week).

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10 moments in Suits that made no legal sense

1) Mike Ross Gets Hired Without a Law Degree (Season 1, Episode 1)

Let’s start with the elephant in the conference room: Mike Ross gets hired by Harvey Specter despite never having gone to law school - or even finished college properly. Sure, he’s got a photographic memory, but that doesn’t exactly substitute for a J.D. or passing the bar. In real life, this would be a massive scandal, and the firm would’ve faced serious consequences. But hey, it gave us nine seasons of dramatic gold, so we let it slide.

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2) Jessica Covers Up Mike’s Secret (Season 2, Episode 1 & 16)

Jessica Pearson, the queen of calculated decisions, decides to keep Mike’s fraud a secret once she finds out. In what universe does the managing partner of a major law firm knowingly allow a fake lawyer to keep practicing? Any real-world managing partner would immediately report it to avoid risking the firm’s license. But this is Suits, where loyalty beats legality, and Jessica was always one step cooler than the rules.

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3) Mike Takes the Bar Exam for Someone Else (Season 1, Episode 1)

Before becoming Harvey’s protégé, Mike earns cash by taking the LSAT and bar exam for other people. Not only is this wildly unethical, it’s outright criminal. We're talking identity fraud and serious federal charges. Yet, the show glosses over this with a wink and a nod, treating it like a quirky hustle instead of a felony. And somehow, we still root for him. Only in Suits, folks.

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4) Harvey Blackmails People - Constantly (Multiple Episodes)

Harvey Specter is many things: charming, cutthroat, and let’s face it, a walking HR violation. But what really stands out is how often he uses blackmail to win cases. From threatening to expose secrets to dangling people’s careers in front of them, Harvey operates more like a mob boss than a senior partner. Yet, nobody ever calls the bar association on him. Because he's Harvey. And we wouldn't want him any other way.

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5) Donna Accesses Confidential Files…All the Time (Season 2, Episode 13)

Donna Paulsen is the ultimate legal secretary, but even she crosses the line frequently. In Season 2, she’s caught accessing confidential documents she shouldn't have had her hands on, leading to her brief firing. In real life, this could’ve led to disbarment for any associated attorney and potential criminal charges. But in Suits, it’s treated as a minor oopsie. Why? Because it's Donna. And no one messes with Donna.

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6) Mike Is Allowed to Practice Law After Prison (Season 6, Episode 16)

After serving time for fraud, Mike somehow convinces the New York Bar to let him practice law… legally. While this redemption arc was satisfying, it was wildly implausible. The bar association is not in the habit of giving licenses to people who committed the very fraud they’re sworn to prevent. But the show needed its hero back in court, so logic took a backseat to sentimentality - and we weren’t mad about it.

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7) The Firm Changes Names Like It’s a Trend (Multiple Seasons)

Pearson Hardman, Pearson Specter, Pearson Specter Litt, Specter Litt Wheeler Williams… The number of times the firm’s name changed is borderline comedic. In reality, law firm name changes are a massive legal and branding ordeal, not something that happens every time someone gets promoted or demoted. But in Suits, it’s just another day in the office — literally. One new partner, and boom, new sign on the wall.

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8) Harvey Dates His Therapist (Season 5, Episode 15)

Harvey begins a romantic relationship with his therapist, Dr. Paula Agard, which is a blatant ethics violation in the world of psychology and would be grounds for losing her license. Not only is it inappropriate, but it also adds unnecessary drama to an already fragile Harvey. Yet, the show treats this problematic dynamic as a touching love story. We were too invested in Harvey’s emotional growth to complain.

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9) Legal Cases Are Solved in a Day (Almost Every Episode)

One of Suits’ most entertaining and least realistic habits is how fast cases get resolved. From multi-million-dollar lawsuits to corporate takeovers, everything seems to wrap up by the end of the episode. In the real world, these cases take months, even years. But the show’s brisk pace gave it energy, and honestly, we didn’t have the patience for real-time litigation anyway.

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10) Firing Associates on a Whim (Multiple Seasons)

At Pearson Specter Litt, job security is about as stable as Louis Litt’s emotions. Associates are constantly fired (or threatened with it) for reasons ranging from minor mistakes to office gossip. In real law firms, terminations come with HR protocols, documentation, and legal caution. You can’t just shout, “You’re fired!” like it’s The Apprentice. But in Suits, firings happen mid-argument, during meetings, or even by text - and somehow, no one ever files a wrongful termination lawsuit.

We Object… But Not Really - because let’s face it, Suits was never meant to be a legal textbook. It was glossy, over-the-top, and completely addictive. Yes, the legal inconsistencies were plentiful, and in real life, half the characters would’ve been disbarred, sued, or in jail. But that’s the charm. We didn’t watch Suits to learn the finer points of tort law - we watched it to see Harvey Specter throw shade, Mike Ross deliver impossible wins, and Donna Paulsen be better than all of us.

So sure, it made no legal sense. But we let it slide - every damn time!