For many attorneys, the bench represents the pinnacle of a legal career. It’s a role built on experience, integrity, and public service. It’s a chance to shape the law not by arguing cases, but by applying it fairly and impartially. While most lawyers spend their careers advocating for clients, some eventually find themselves asking a different question: Could I become a judge?

The answer is more complex than simply having years of legal experience. Transitioning from advocate to arbiter requires a shift in mindset, a commitment to impartiality, and an understanding of the unique responsibilities that come with wearing the robe. If you’ve ever considered judicial service—or simply wondered what the path looks like—you’re in the right place. Our upcoming program “So You Want to Be a Judge?” will offer valuable insight into the qualifications, expectations, and realities of serving on the bench. Hope to see you there on August 4!

Now let’s dive in…

The mental shift. Becoming a judge isn’t simply the next step on the career ladder. It’s an entirely different role within the justice system. Attorneys are trained to advocate zealously for their clients, advancing one side of an argument with skill and conviction. Judges, on the other hand, must set advocacy aside in favor of neutrality. That transition requires more than legal knowledge. It demands patience, sound judgment, excellent listening skills, and the ability to evaluate every case fairly, regardless of the parties involved. The question is no longer, “How do I win this case?” but rather, “What does the law require?”

One of the biggest adjustments for new judges is learning to view each case from a completely different perspective. Instead of crafting persuasive arguments, judges must carefully consider competing positions, weigh evidence, and apply the law impartially. That change can be both challenging and rewarding. Many judges describe the role as an opportunity to serve the legal system in a new way; one focused on fairness, professionalism, and maintaining public confidence in the courts.

Legal experience still matters. Your years spent practicing the law provides an invaluable foundation for judicial service. Attorneys develop analytical thinking, courtroom experience, communication skills, and a deep understanding of legal procedure. Those experiences help prepare future judges to manage complex cases and make informed decisions from the bench.

Just as importantly, practicing attorneys gain perspective by representing different clients, navigating difficult legal questions, and working with judges throughout their careers. Those lessons often become some of the most valuable preparation for judicial service. In short, your experience as an attorney will get you far as an arbiter.

The path can vary. Depending on the court and jurisdiction, becoming a judge can involve elections, appointments, or merit selection processes. Experience requirements, application procedures, and qualifications also vary widely. While there’s no single roadmap, aspiring judges benefit from building a strong professional reputation, maintaining high ethical standards, becoming active in the legal community, and seeking opportunities for leadership and public service. Preparing for the bench often begins long before a judicial vacancy ever opens.

Depending on the court and the jurisdiction, a judgeship may be obtained through a partisan or nonpartisan election, an appointment by the governor to fill a vacancy, or another merit-based selection process. Candidates may need to meet minimum experience requirements, gather endorsements, campaign, interview before judicial nominating commissions, or participate in bar association evaluations. While the path differs from one court to another, successful candidates typically share one thing in common: they’ve invested in developing not only their legal knowledge, but also the temperament, ethics, and leadership qualities expected of those who serve on the bench.

A commitment to lifelong learning. Even after taking the bench, the learning doesn’t stop. Judges must stay current on changes in the law, evolving ethical standards, procedural developments, and emerging issues affecting the courts. That commitment to continuing education helps ensure judges remain well-equipped to serve their communities with fairness and confidence throughout their careers. That’s exactly what we aim to assist you with here at PBI.

For those attorneys who dream of being a judge, the bench offers an opportunity unlike any other—a chance to serve the law from a new perspective while helping shape the administration of justice. Whether judicial service is your next career goal or simply a possibility you’ve wondered about, understanding what the role truly entails is the first step.

And if you want to learn more, be sure to register for our live webcast on August 4!

If you’d like to see more of our “Beyond the Billable Hour” series, check out these past blog posts:

Beyond the Billable Hour: Career Paths Lawyers Are Exploring

Beyond the Billable Hour: Why Lawyers Are Going In-House

And be sure to keep an eye out for future installments on Raising the Bar!

We’ve all been there. You’re trying to log into an account you haven’t visited in months. You confidently type your password…and it’s wrong. No problem. You’ve got tons of classics to pull from, so you try another. And another.

…Still wrong.

Eventually, you get fed up enough to click “Forgot Password?” and now you’re stuck waiting for the reset email to arrive. You wonder how you managed to forget another password and if you’ll even remember changing this one, because every app and website demands a unique password, and it’s become near-impossible to keep track of them all. Many of us simply have no passwords left to give.

For attorneys, this scenario is especially familiar. Between court filing systems, practice management software, bar association websites, email, banking, Microsoft 365, CLE providers (hello!), and countless other online services, the average lawyer manages dozens (if not hundreds!) of passwords. Remembering them all isn’t realistic anymore. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you’re looking to save time, reduce frustration, or better protect sensitive client information, a few simple changes can make password management significantly easier.

Stop relying on your memory. If you’re still trying to memorize every password, you’re making life harder than it needs to be. Passwords have become longer, more complex, and less memorable. Instead of asking your brain to do all the work, let technology handle it for you. Even if you are planning to attend our upcoming webcast “Winning Your Case with a Better Memory,” this is one task that can be successfully outsourced so you have one less thing weighing on your mind.

Password managers securely store your login credentials in an encrypted vault. You only need to remember one master password, while the software remembers everything else. Even better, most password managers can automatically fill in your credentials and generate strong, unique passwords whenever you create a new account.

Most password managers follow a similar setup process. First, create an account and choose a strong master password, one that you can remember. Then begin manually adding the websites and services you use most often such as your email, banking, and court filing systems. Many of these password managers also offer browser extensions that recognize login pages and automatically suggest saved credentials or prompt you to save new ones as you create accounts. Over time, your password vault will grow until it becomes your go-to resource for every login. You’ll simply need to remember your one master password, and you’ll be good to go. Just don’t forget to set up account recovery options in case you do happen to forget that password. Most password managers allow you to add a recovery email, mobile phone number, and other verification methods so you can safely and easily regain access if you happen to forget your master password or purchase a new device. Spending a few extra minutes to set up recovery settings will save you from a major headache down the road.

There are many reputable password managers available, each with different features and pricing. Popular options include Keeper, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, and NordPass. Apple users can also take advantage of iCloud Passwords, while Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge offer built-in password management features too. Pick one the that’s most convenient for you, that best fits your needs, and you know you’ll use every day.

Every account deserves its own password. It may be tempting to reuse the same password across multiple websites. After all, it’s easier to remember, right? Unfortunately, it’s also one of the biggest security risks.

If just one website experiences a data breach, cybercriminals often try those same login credentials on dozens of other websites. If you’ve reused the password, multiple accounts could be compromised before you even realize what’s happened. Unique passwords dramatically reduce that risk, and thanks to password managers, you don’t have to remember any of them yourself. So be sure to follow this golden rule for the safety of yourself, your firm, and your clients.

Turn on multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Think of multi-factor authentication (MFA) as a second lock on your front door. Even if someone manages to obtain your password, they’ll still need a second form of verification before they can access your account. Many websites send a one-time code via email or text message, but an authentication app—such as Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, or Authy—is generally considered even more secure.

Why is it so effective? Imagine someone steals your password. Without MFA, they could immediately access your account. But with MFA enabled, they would need your phone or authentication app to complete the login. It’s a simple extra layer of security that dramatically reduces the chances of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised. It takes a few extra seconds to log in, but those few seconds can make a tremendous difference in protecting your accounts.

You can usually enable multi-factor authentication in an account’s settings or might receive the offer to set it up at login. You’ll typically be prompted to choose how you’d like to receive your verification codes. Many websites offer text messages, but the aforementioned authentication apps are often preferred because they generate secure codes directly on your phone that only last for a short period of time (around 30 seconds). Simply scan a QR code or link the accounts and it should be good to go.

Meet the passkey. If you’ve noticed some websites asking whether you’d like to sign in with your fingerprint, facial recognition, or device PIN instead of a password, you’ve already encountered a passkey. A traditional password is something you know, a word or phrase you picked out to type each time you sign in. A passkey verifies your identity using something you have rather than something you know. There’s no password to steal, guess, or accidentally reuse across multiple websites. Today’s technology need only glance at your face through the camera or read your fingerprint to grant you access.

Passkeys are becoming increasingly common because they’re both more convenient and more secure than traditional passwords. Passwords aren’t disappearing overnight, but passkeys are quickly becoming the future of online authentication. Whenever you have the option, they’re worth considering.

Watch out for phishing scams. Sometimes the weakest link isn’t the password itself…it’s our own lapse in judgment. In other words, it’s being tricked into giving it away. So always take a closer look before you click, especially if something seems fishy.

Cybercriminals regularly send emails or text messages that appear to come from trusted organizations or even people you know, urging recipients to reset a password or verify an account. Before clicking a link or opening an attachment, pause for a moment and ask yourself whether the request makes sense or if the email looks legitimate. Take a few seconds to inspect the sender’s actual email address, not just the display name. Though the message might appear to have come from “Microsoft Support,” “Paypal,” or your bank, the underlying email address could reveal obvious warning signs such as misspellings, extra numbers, or unfamiliar domains. This is a major red flag.

When in doubt, trust your instincts and navigate directly to the organization’s website to log in there instead of following a link in an email. That extra step can help protect both your personal information and your clients’ confidential data.

Avoid these common password mistakes. Good password habits aren’t just about what you should do, but also about what you should avoid. Writing passwords on sticky notes attached to your monitor, storing them in an unencrypted spreadsheet, sharing them through email, or choosing easily guessed passwords like birthdays or pet names may seem harmless, but they can create unnecessary risks. A little organization goes much further than a little convenience. Since you’ll be letting technology do the remembering for you, don’t hesitate to create complicated passwords.

Build your system one login at a time. Looking at years’ worth of scattered passwords can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to fix everything today. Start by choosing a password manager and saving every new password you create. Then, each time you log into an older account, update that password to something strong and unique before saving it in your vault. Within a few months, you’ll have replaced many of your old passwords without setting aside an entire weekend to tackle the project.

Passwords are an unavoidable part of modern life, but frustration doesn’t have to be! By creating a system that works for you and letting technology handle the brunt of it, you can spend less time resetting passwords and more time focusing on what really matters.

The only thing attorneys should have to memorize is great legal arguments—not their 87 different login credentials.

You did it. You unplugged, took the trip, and relaxed to your heart’s content. Maybe you explored a new city, hit the beach, or simply enjoyed a change of scenery with zero emails or work calls.

Then…the dream ends and reality hits. The out-of-office message you scheduled expires. The alarm clock goes off. The vacation vibes vanish in a blink and you’re suddenly sitting in your office chair staring at an overflowing inbox. Instant overwhelm. But have no fear: you are not alone. Many workers struggle with the transition between vacation and work, especially after a long time away from their desk.

Luckily, returning to work doesn’t have to feel like a crisis. With a little planning and the right mindset, you can get back to it without the panic and without undoing all of the benefits your vacation provided.

Let’s find out how in the final installment of “Lawyers Need Vacations Too!” Read on!

Schedule a buffer day. One of the biggest reentry mistakes lawyers make happens before the vacation even begins. If you’re not careful, your vacation could end with you facing down one of your most stressful days of the year. Leave a day to rest and unpack between vacation and heading back to work. If you’re fighting jet lag, a couple days might be even better. Your exhausted future self will thank your clever past self for planning that buffer day in advance.

Be sure to leave yourself some breathing room on your first day back in the office, too. Avoid scheduling major meetings, hearings, or significant deadlines. Giving yourself a buffer both at home and in the office allows time to take it easy, review emails, prioritize tasks, and regain your bearings before jumping into high-stakes work.

The inbox is not your enemy. It’s typically the first app we open in the morning, and definitely the first place we head after a well-deserved break. And that’s our very first mistake. Going face-to-face with a bloated inbox when you get back from vacation can leave you immediately feeling overwhelmed and extremely behind. Most likely, you’re tempted to head to the oldest email and start working your way forward. In many cases, this is the least efficient approach.

Instead, look for what requires immediate attention, starting with the most recent. Keep in mind that not every email requires action. Some issues might’ve already been resolved by helpful colleagues. Other emails might be informational or even unwanted spam. So, there’s no reason to let the number of unread emails intimidate you. Prioritize what needs your attention the most and don’t treat your inbox like a courtroom docket that must be cleared immediately. You’ll get there in time.

Prioritize, don’t panic. When you’re a problem solver by nature, it might be tempting to dive headfirst into the mountain of work that awaits you. But if you want to strategize, take a moment to pause and prioritize what’s on your to-do list. Not every task deserves the same level of attention. Once you’ve identified what’s waiting for you, separate items into categories. What needs action today? What can wait until tomorrow? What can be delegated? Taking a few minutes to assess the situation can save you hours of stress later. If you’d like to take preparation a step further, you can create a priority list before you even go on vacation.

Vacation often provides valuable perspective and one of the most useful lessons is realizing that not everything is as urgent as it initially appears.

Avoid vacation amnesia. Once you return to work, that vacation might start to feel more and more like a distant dream. You got outside and walked more. You spent less time staring at screens. You relaxed, ate delicious food, and spent more time with your family or friends. Eventually, it had to end, but that doesn’t mean some of the habits that made it enjoyable have to.

One of the biggest mistakes people make after vacation is immediately returning to every unhealthy habit they left behind. Goodbye lunch break, hello working twelve hours straight fueled by nothing but caffeine and spite. Don’t let vacation amnesia steal away the memories of that healthy work-life balance! Make an effort to extend the benefits you experienced on vacation long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.

Remember: Reentry is temporary. The first day back is overwhelming. The second day, you’re still playing catch up. By the end of the week, you’ve found your rhythm again.

The feeling of being behind is often far worse than the reality. It’s important not to mistake temporary discomfort for permanent chaos. Give yourself permission to ease back into your routine rather than expecting peak performance from the moment you walk through the door. In time, your backlog will shrink. The emails will get answered. The urgent issues will be addressed. Stressing about it won’t make it happen any faster, so why stress at all?

The vacation doesn’t have to end. The purpose of taking time away was to recharge, gain perspective, and return with renewed energy. That process doesn’t stop the moment you walk back into the office. In many ways, the real value of a vacation reveals itself afterward in improved focus, better decision-making, and a healthier relationship with work. That feeling sticks around much longer than tan lines.

Bonus tip: Bring a little vacation joy to your office in the form of a souvenir or a picture of your trip. This will not only bring back pleasant memories, but also serve as a reminder to keep the good vibes going.

In conclusion, do not dread the reentry. Getting back to work is simply part of the journey, and with the right strategy, you’ll come back rested and ready for what’s next.

We hope you enjoyed our summer series “Lawyers Need Vacations Too!” We wish you safe travels and a relaxing rest of your summer. And if you’ve got August compliance around the corner, PBI is ready to help you score credits with a stellar lineup of live webcasts!

Welcome back to the third installment in our “Lawyers Need Vacations Too” summer series!

Upon seeing this title, you might already be wondering “How on earth can vacation make me a better lawyer?” After all, the legal profession isn’t exactly known for encouraging time away from work, and lounging on a beach somewhere seems pretty counterproductive to your practice’s needs.

Between client demands, court deadlines, overflowing inboxes, and the ever-present temptation to complete just one more task, many attorneys struggle to fully unplug, which is why our last blog posed the idea of a workcation. Yet, research has shown us that vacations aren’t simply a luxury. They are also an investment in our mental and physical well-being. Some studies suggest it takes several days of being off work before we truly begin to experience the restorative benefits of time away. For lawyers accustomed to operating at full speed, it’s an important reminder that true recovery takes time.

In other words, stepping away from work may actually help you improve at it. Read on to find out just why that is…

Distance creates perspective. Have you ever spent hours wrestling with a problem, only to find the solution arrives when you least expect it to? Maybe after talking a walk, sleeping on it, or doing something completely unrelated? The same principle applies to vacations.

When you spend every day immersed in deadlines, client matters, and legal analysis, it’s easy to get trapped in the details. Time away from all of that provides the opportunity to zoom out and regain perspective. Problems that once seemed overwhelming often feel more manageable after you return from a break. New ideas can emerge when the brain is given space to breathe. And taking a step back can remind you of the bigger picture of life, and what truly matters.

Your brain needs time to recover. As you already know, lawyers rely heavily on concentration and decision-making. Those mental resources aren’t unlimited and you cannot afford for them to become depleted. You also cannot afford to fall victim to the dreaded burnout.

Research has found that vacations can improve well-being and morale, reduce stress, and even increase mental flexibility. Some studies have shown that people generate a wider range of ideas after returning from vacation, suggesting that time away can support creativity and problem-solving. In a profession where strategic thinking is essential, this is a fact that should not be overlooked. So the next time your boss denies your vacation day, tell them you need it to increase your mental flexibility!

Stepping away improves productivity. It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s not. Constant work isn’t always the most productive approach and can dull anyone’s sharpness. Many attorneys assume that taking time off will cause them to fall behind, but in reality, exhaustion creates its own problems. Fatigue can easily increase mistakes and make each task feel more difficult than it should.

A well-timed vacation can help break that cycle. Returning with renewed energy often allows lawyers to work more effectively than trying to push through the burnout. Besides, you don’t want to lose those precious vacation days, do you?

The best vacations aren’t always the longest. A study found that eight days seems to be the “ideal” vacation length, as far as relaxation and rejuvenation go. That idea stems from research suggesting that happiness and well-being often peak around the eighth day of the trip before leveling off or declining. Before then, we spend several days trying to sink into that sweet state of relaxation (meanwhile, our dopamine is often highest before the trip even begins).

Don’t go blocking off exactly eight days in your calendar just yet! Remember that vacation isn’t a one-size-fits all. Some might feel refreshed after a long weekend. Others might need two weeks before they’re able to completely unplug from work. And let’s be honest, if your travels are taking you halfway around the world, one week is not worth the jet lag. The real takeaway here is that meaningful recovery rarely happens overnight. It might take a few trial runs to realize the perfect vacation length for you, and it might be longer or shorter than that eight-day average.

Vacations aren’t to be earned. Lawyers are infamously good at caring for clients and bad at caring for themselves. Many delay vacations until they finish a project, close a case, or reach some other extravagant milestone. Unfortunately, work is always flowing in and there’s always another deadline waiting around the corner.

If you have a tendency to view vacations as rewards for surviving work…stop. They should be viewed as part of what allows you to sustain a long and successful career. Our bodies need rest. And if you keep raising your standards, trying to earn that “reward,” then you may never see it come to pass.

In conclusion…the legal profession demands a great deal from those who practice it. Long hours, complex problems, and significant responsibilities come with the job. But even the most dedicated attorneys aren’t machines. Everyone needs opportunities to rest, recharge, and live a life outside work.

So the next time you’re tempted to cancel that vacation or spend your entire trip checking emails, remember this: stepping away from work doesn’t mean you’re neglecting your practice. In fact, you just might be doing your practice (and yourself) the biggest favor you could offer it.

Summer is here! Vacation season is upon us! And for many attorneys, that means a familiar internal debate. “Should I completely unplug while on vacation…or should I bring my laptop just in case?”

For some lawyers, the answer has become a hybrid approach know as a “workcation,” a trip that combines travel and leisure with professional responsibilities. Thanks to remote work technology, lawyers can now draft documents on a plane, answer emails from a hotel lobby, or score credits in a beautiful beach house. But just because you can work on vacation doesn’t necessarily mean you should, especially given the high rate of burnout within the profession.

So…are workcations worth it? As with most legal questions, the answer depends. Let’s take a closer look in this second installment of our summer blog series “Lawyers Need Vacations Too!”

The rise of the workcation. A long time ago, vacations and work were completely separate worlds. You were either in office, or you weren’t. But the rise of technology, coupled with remote work becoming normalized due to the pandemic, has blurred those boundaries. We now have the ability to work virtually from anywhere so long as there is a reliable internet connection. This flexibility has made it easier to extend trips and visit family, but it’s a double-edged sword.

For some lawyers, this flexibility feels liberating. For others, it can feel like work has followed them on vacation and there is no reprieve.

The case for working while traveling. It can’t be denied that there are advantages to taking a workcation. Attorneys with busy practices may find it easier to take longer trips when they know they can remain available for urgent matters. A workcation can reduce the anxiety that sometimes accompanies a traditional vacation. Rather than returning to hundreds of unread emails and a to-do list that stretches for a mile, attorneys can still stay caught up while enjoying a change in scenery. Simply stepping away from the office environment can be refreshing, even if your work laptop is along for the ride.

If you find yourself never taking a vacation because it’s too difficult to pull away, the workcation may be your solution.

The problem with always being available. We’ve all felt it in this day and age. The expectation that you must always be available. The danger, in this case, is that a workcation is a slippery slope that can easily become all work and very little vacation. Next thing you know…burnout.

Many attorneys have already experienced this firsthand. You promise yourself you’re only going to check your email real quick. Then a client issue arises. One phone call becomes three. Suddenly, the day is gone.

Both your brain and body need genuine periods of recovery. Constantly being on…monitoring emails, responding to problems, focusing on work…that can have an adverse effect on your well-being. Vacations are meant to provide a mental reset that will keep you performing at your best in the long run. Which is why a workcation may not be the solution for everyone.

The key? Setting boundaries. The most successful workcations tend to have one thing in common: boundaries. Instead of remaining available at all hours, some attorneys designate specific windows for work and reserve the rest of the day for relaxation. Others limit themselves to checking email one or twice a day.

The goal isn’t perfection, but finding what works best for you, and that will look different for everyone. Find enough separation between the two so that your vacation still feels like a vacation. In order to do that, you have to…

Know your personality. Some lawyers thrive on staying connected. They enjoy the flexibility of handling a few tasks, then spending the rest of the day exploring a new city or relaxing by the pool. Having their work with them might leave them happier and less anxious than they would be without it. Others might find that even a small amount of work keeps them mentally tethered to the office. For these attorneys, true rest only happens when they disconnect completely. Work and vacation are opposite sides of a switch, and that’s how they like it.

Neither approach is right or wrong. It’s all about understanding what helps you recharge rather than simply assuming more availability is always better. Do you know where you fall?

Don’t forget why you’re there. Vacations serve an important purpose. They provide an opportunity to rest, gain perspective, spend time with loved ones, and so much more. When it’s over, you’ll return to work with renewed energy! (Well, hopefully…if that doesn’t sound like you, then keep an eye out for a future blog post in this series all about a successful reentry strategy after vacation.)

If a workcation allows you to do all of those things while maintaining flexibility, then it may be a worthwhile compromise. But if you find yourself spending more time starting at a screen than the sky, it might be worth reconsidering whether a workcation is worth it for you. After all, your email inbox will still be there when you get back.

And remember: Sometimes, the most productive thing a lawyer can do, is to step away from work entirely. Enjoy the start of summer and the beautiful weather!

Welcome to the first installment in this summer’s “Lawyers Need Vacations Too” blog series! Today, we’re covering the best getaways for a legal-themed trip. Odds are, you’ve already got your vacation plans locked in, but just in case you don’t (or you’re looking for an idea for next summer), this is the blog for you!

Before you panic or click away…a legal-themed vacation does not mean spending your precious beach trip reading case law under an umbrella. The best legal getaways combine travel, culture, history, networking, and yes…maybe even a little CLE along the way if you’ve got the bandwidth. And we’ve got the perfect destinations that offer something uniquely appealing for all attorneys.

So pack your suitcase! We’re headed to Europe!

Germany. If you’ve ever wanted to combine CLE with international travel, the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s upcoming trip to Germany might be one of the most unique legal getaways available. Between its rich legal history, stunning architecture, and cultural landmarks, Germany offers plenty for attorneys to appreciate both professionally and personally. Best of all, you can earn credits while on an exciting adventure abroad!

The tour winds through Berlin, Potsdam, Nuremberg, and Munich, with plenty of opportunities to step inside famous museums and witness notable legal institutions. You’ll even walk in the city where they held the famous post-World War II Nuremberg Trials. This trip is certain to leave you feeling inspired and educated! Sign up here and we’ll see you in September.

London, England. For attorneys interested in the roots of the legal profession itself, few destinations compare to London. As the birthplace of common law, this city is packed with legal history at every turn. From the Inns of Court to the Old Bailey, London offers countless opportunities to explore the foundations that shaped much of the American legal system. Even outside of formal legal landmarks, the city carries a sense of history that feels especially meaningful for lawyers.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that London also happens to offer unique foods, theatres, museums, and pubs. Legal history by day…fish and chips by night.

Let’s head back to our great nation for the rest of our getaway list…

Oahu, Hawaii. Hawaii might not come to mind first when you think of a legal-themed getaway. But behind the beaches and breathtaking scenery lies a fascinating intersection of environmental law, land use issues, water rights, and Native Hawaiian legal history. Oahu in particular offers a unique blend of culture, government, and environmental significance. Lawyers interested in environmental law or public policy can find plenty to appreciate, all while enjoying one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world.

And if you can get away with pairing legal study with ocean views and Hawaiian shaved ice, why wouldn’t you?

Seven Springs Resort, Champion, PA. “Whoa…why is that so specific?” you may be wondering. Because this is the location of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Summer Summit! If your ideal getaway includes networking, professional development, and a little summer fun, then this event deserves a spot on your list. Held in a relaxed resort setting, the Summit blends CLE, social events, and opportunities to connect with attorneys across the state.

What makes this trip especially appealing is the balance. You can attend educational sessions during the day, then unwind with colleagues afterwards in a more relaxed environment in the evening. For younger attorneys, it’s a great reminder that career development can happen in any setting.

Washington, D.C. For lawyers who love legal history, Washington, D.C. is the ultimate destination. Few places are more closely tied to the American legal system than the nation’s capital. A visit to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, or the National Archives can turn even the most casual history buff into a full-blown constitutional law enthusiast! Add in monuments, museums, and fabulous restaurants, then you’ve got a truly unforgettable trip unfolding in front of you.

D.C. also happens to be one of the easiest places to stumble upon legal conferences, policy discussions, and networking opportunities…if you’re into that sort of thing on vacation.

Sometimes the best trips are the ones that combine personal interests with opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with others in meaningful ways. There’s no reason a lawyer’s vacation can’t be both enriching and relaxing. After all…lawyers need vacations too!

Where is PBI headed this summer?

“I’ve always wanted to visit Italy since my family’s Italian! This will be my second international trip (my first was to Japan last year!) and my first time to Europe. I’m looking forward to the food the most…especially the gelato!”
-Taylor, Creative Growth Marketer

“Myrtle Beach, SC. Seeing as many sunsets and sunrises on the beach as I want and traveling to Charleston for the day!” -Jenn, CX and Events Operations

“Sunny & 75″ – Sydney, CLE Admin./In-Person Staff Coordinator

“With close family residing in Asheville, NC, I spend many vacations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My latest vacation included unwinding mountainside with a restorative sauna steam and invigorating cold plunge. The perfect blend of relaxation, sweeping views, and renewal.” -Kali, Legal Education Program Manager

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on the CLE everyone’s been talking about. If your schedule’s gotten quieter and you’re looking to squeeze in credits between vacations or during long drives, PBI’s on-demand CLE offers flexibility that will allow you to learn on your terms.

Ready to start binging, but don’t know where to start? We’ve gathered the most popular courses of this year so far. From artificial intelligence and ethics to trusts and courtroom strategy, these are the courses that have attorneys flocking to them.

Add them to your summer watch list!

1. A Day in the Life of a Lawyer with Practical AI

AI is no longer a futuristic concept in the legal profession…it’s now part of the modern workday for many! Our most popular webcast to date takes attorneys through real-world examples of how AI can assist with drafting, organization, research, and workflow management. Practical, accessible, and immediately useful, it’s easy to see why this course quickly climbed to the top of the charts.

2. Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2026: Harnessing AI for a Smarter Practice

Curious about AI but not sure where to begin? This course offers a strong foundation for attorneys looking to understand the basics of artificial intelligence and how it can support a more efficient practice. From productivity tools to ethical considerations, it’s a smart entry point into one of the profession’s fastest-growing topics.

3. ABCs of Pennsylvania Trusts & Trust Drafting

Trusts remain a cornerstone of estate planning practice, and this webcast delivers a comprehensive look at the fundamentals of trust drafting in Pennsylvania. Attorneys looking to sharpen their drafting skills or build confidence in this complex area of law have made this one of the year’s most sought-after programs.

4. Your Practice, Simplified: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Everyday Legal Work

AI continues to dominate attorney interest, especially when it’s tied directly to tools lawyers already use every day. This course explores how Microsoft 365 Copilot can streamline routine legal work, helping attorneys save time and reduce repetitive administrative tasks without sacrificing accuracy.

5. Learning Professionalism, Ethics, and Trial Tactics from The Lincoln Lawyer, Season Three

Who says CLE can’t be entertaining? This unique course uses the hit series The Lincoln Lawyer as a springboard for exploring professionalism, ethics, and trial strategy. Blending pop culture with practical legal analysis, it’s become a fan favorite among attorneys looking for something both engaging and educational. Keep an eye out for Season Four, coming later this year!

6. Unclaimed or Unidentifiable IOLTA Funds

IOLTA management may not sound glamorous, but attorneys know just how important trust accounting compliance can be. This timely course tackles the often-confusing issue of unclaimed or unidentifiable IOLTA funds, offering practical guidance on navigating a topic that carries significant ethical responsibility.

7. Model Behavior: Effective and Ethical Mediation Practice in Pennsylvania

As mediation continues to play a larger role in dispute resolution, attorneys are looking to strengthen both their practical skills and ethical understanding in this area. This webcast explores effective mediation techniques while addressing the professional responsibilities that come with serving as a mediator in Pennsylvania.

8. Lies, Deceit, and the Ethical Rules, Can Attorneys Practice Deception?

A serial killer, a fake public defender, and a surrender that shocked the legal profession. Few titles spark curiosity quite like this one. This thought-provoking ethics course examines the complicated line between advocacy and deception, diving into the ethical rules that govern attorney conduct. Challenging, nuanced, and highly relevant, it’s no surprise this webcast generated major interest.

9. When AI Goes Wrong: Deepfakes, Hallucinations, and the Ethical Risks for Lawyers

As AI tools become more sophisticated, so do the risks associated with them. This webcast explores the darker side of artificial intelligence, including misinformation, hallucinated case citations, deepfakes, and the ethical implications attorneys must understand before integrating AI into practice. In today’s crazy world, this CLE is a must!

10. Right to Know Law

Transparency and public access remain critical legal issues, making Right-to-Know Law a consistently important topic for attorneys across multiple practice areas. This course offers practical guidance on navigating Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know framework and understanding the evolving issues surrounding public records access.

11. Ethics Compliance Crusher

Ethics credits are essential, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring! This fast-paced program helps attorneys tackle compliance requirements head-on while exploring timely ethical issues facing the profession today. It’s become a go-to course for lawyers looking to stay compliant without sacrificing engagement. If you need three ethics credits, then look no further.

12. Lights, Camera, Evidence!

Trial strategy meets visual storytelling in this creative and highly practical webcast. As video, digital exhibits, and multimedia presentations become increasingly common in litigation, this course helps attorneys understand how to use visual evidence effectively and persuasively in the courtroom.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, stay compliant, or finally see what everyone’s been talking about, these courses represent some of the most popular learning opportunities PBI has offered so far this year.

So go ahead—start your summer binge. Your next favorite CLE might already be waiting in your queue!

For many attorneys, the billable hour defines the rhythm of their day. Every task is tracked, every minute accounted for, and productivity is often measured in six-minute increments. It’s a system that has long shaped private practice…but it’s not the only way to build a legal career.

In recent years, more lawyers have begun exploring roles that offer a different structure, pace, and set of expectations. Among the most popular transitions is the move to in-house counsel, where attorneys step into a business environment and take on a more integrated role within an organization. We previously did a blog on what other career paths lawyers are exploring. Now it’s time to put each one under a microscope, starting with in-house counsel.

Now let’s dive in…

A Different Kind of Client. In private practice, lawyers often juggle multiple clients, each with their own priorities and expectations. The relationship is pretty predictable: a client comes to you with a problem, you solve it, you bill them when it’s over. In-house counsel, by contrast, typically serve a single client: the organization itself. This role comes with its own complexity. You should understand the business deeply enough to give advice that accounts for financial pressures and long-term strategy.

Over time, in-house attorneys become trusted advisors to leadership in a way that’s difficult to replicate from outside the organization. Legal advice becomes less about isolated issues and more about guiding decisions that affect the organization as a whole. For some attorneys, it can make the work feel more meaningful.

From Reactive to Proactive. Law firm work is often more reactive by nature. Responding to disputes, deadlines, immediate client needs…it’s a model that rewards speed and precision. In-house roles, however, often flip that dynamic and provide the opportunity to be more proactive. Rather than waiting for issues to land on your desk, you’re involved throughout the process in order to prevent them from arising in the first place.

This proactive way of working can be one of the most satisfying aspects of in-house practice. Attorneys can help shape policies, identify risks before they become problems, and collaborate with leadership on strategic initiatives. The work becomes less about putting out fires and more about preventing them.

A New Measure of Success. Without billable hours, the way performance is evaluated changes completely (a welcome shift for many attorneys). Success is measured by the ability to manage risk, support business objectives, and communicate effectively with non-legal colleagues. These might be harder to measure than hours logged, but they tend to feel more connected to real impact and can feel refreshing for attorneys who are ready to move away from timekeeping.

That said, this sort of transition requires an overhaul of how you communicate your value. In a law firm, a detailed memo demonstrates thoroughness. In a business environment, leadership wants a clear bottom line: what’s the risk, what are the options, and what are your recommendations? Learning to deliver legal analysis in a way that non-lawyers can understand is one of the most important skills an in-house attorney can develop.

The Tradeoffs. Like any career move, going in-house comes with tradeoffs. Compensation structures vary wildly. Some in-house roles offer competitive base salaries plus equity or bonus opportunities. Others, such as nonprofits or smaller organizations, may pay less than a comparable firm position (but can be highly rewarding in other ways). The major upside of this move is a more predictable schedule and a clearer boundary between work and life outside work. Of course, that can vary by company.

Advancement can look different, too. Law firms offer a well-defined path from associate to partner. In-house, the trajectory is less standard. Career growth often depends on the growth of the business itself. There is also an adjustment period, as lawyers learn to operate within a business environment rather than a traditional legal setting. Of course, every new job comes with growing pains. But it goes deeper than that. Businesses operate differently, with different incentives and definitions of what it means to be effective.

Understanding these differences is key to making an informed decision on the future of your career. Preparing for them can help make the transition smoother.

Ethical Considerations. Even in a new career, ethical considerations never go away. Attorney-professional responsibility rules still apply in full, though the context in which they arise can look a bit different.

When your client is also your employer, the pressure to be a team player can sometimes conflict with your obligations as an attorney. Questions about privilege, conflicts of interest, and the boundaries of legal versus business advice come up in ways that require careful navigation. Understanding how your professional responsibilities translate into a corporate environment is essential.

Is In-House Right for You? The move in-house isn’t about leaving the law behind—it’s about practicing it in a new context. One that’s more integrated and more sustainable over the long term. If you’re drawn to work that connects legal expertise directly to business outcomes, enjoy building relationships within an organization, and are ready to trade the billable hour for impact-driven work, the in-house path might be worth exploring seriously.

The key is to always go in informed.

As always, thanks for reading, and be sure to keep an eye out for our next installment in this series, Beyond the Billable Hour: Inside a Career in Compliance.

Your desk job might be taking a bigger toll than you think.

For many attorneys, the workday is defined by long hours at a desk. Drafting documents, reviewing case law, answering emails, preparing for meetings…it all adds up to one thing: sitting. A lot of it. In fact, the majority of American jobs and our car-based commutes to work have left us as a sedentary society. Combined with our diet of ultra-processed food, that doesn’t bode well for long-term health.

What was once considered harmless, or even necessary, is now being looked at more closely. As research continues to emerge, health experts are raising concerns about prolonged sitting and its impact on the body. Some have even gone so far as to call it “the new smoking,” due to the similar effect it can have on the body.

For lawyers, this hits especially close to home. The demands of the profession often make it difficult to step away, even for a few minutes. But understanding the physical impact of a sedentary workday is the first step toward making meaningful change and building habits that support both your health and your practice. And when time is limited, flexible learning options (like PBI’s on-demand CLE library) can fit seamlessly into your day, whether you’re at your desk or taking a much-needed break.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it seems like a good time to address this topic. Because as we know, mental health and physical health go tightly hand in hand.

The sedentary reality. Legal work is, by nature, desk bound. Hours can pass quickly when you’re deep in research or focused on drafting, and before you know it, you’ve spent most of the day in the same position. Maybe you could feel your legs screaming at you to get up, but your mind kept going, “let me just finish this task…okay one more thing…I’ll just cross this off my list then I’ll take a break, I swear.” Next thing you know, it’s time to head home for the day.

Over time, that lack of movement begins to take a toll. The human body is designed to move. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors had incredible stamina and typically walked anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 (or even more!) steps in a day. The new modern average? 5,000 steps. And many of us aren’t even achieving that.

When our bodies stay sedentary, systems that support circulation, posture, and muscle health can start to decline. What feels like a normal workday can quietly contribute to long-term strain. And you might not even realize it until it’s too late.

What prolonged sitting does to the body. Sitting for extended periods affects more than just your back. It can lead to tight hips, weakened core muscles, a stiff neck, and increased pressure on the spine. Circulation slows, which can contribute to fatigue and discomfort, and posture often suffers as the day goes on.

There’s also a connection between prolonged sitting and broader health concerns, including cardiovascular issues and metabolic changes. While a single day at your desk isn’t the problem, the cumulative effect over months and years is what makes this such an important issue. Researchers found that those who sat for more than 8 hours a day with no physical activity raised their risk of dying in a manner similar to those who smoked, hence the eye-opening new nickname for sitting.

The mental connection. Physical discomfort doesn’t stay contained to the body—it often impacts focus and mental clarity as well. Stiffness, tension, and fatigue can make it harder to concentrate, especially during long stretches of work. For lawyers, whose work depends on sustained attention and precision, even small declines in focus can have a noticeable impact. What starts as a physical issue can quickly become a productivity issue, and your clients will suffer for it.

Poor physical health can also cause mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, which lawyers are already privy to due to long hours and stressful workload. Speaking of…

Why lawyers are particularly at risk. Deadlines, client demands, and court schedules don’t always allow for natural breaks. It’s easy to fall into the habit of working straight through the day, especially when there’s pressure to stay productive. The billable hour can reinforce this pattern, making it feel like stepping away, even briefly, is time lost. But in reality, the opposite is often true. Short breaks and movement can improve focus, reduce fatigue, and make the time you spend working more effective.

Small changes, big impact. Addressing the effects of sitting doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your routine. Simple, small adjustments can make a meaningful difference.

Standing up to take a phone call, taking a short walk during lunch, stretching at your desk, or simply being more mindful of your posture can help counteract the effects of a sedentary day. Don’t think of these moments of movement as taking away from your work. Think of them as supporting it, and you. Even short bursts of leisurely movement can have a positive impact on your health.

If you’d like to take it to the next level, consider buying a standing desk or a small treadmill for your office!

The legal profession isn’t likely to become less demanding anytime soon. But the way lawyers approach their workday can evolve. Recognizing the impact of prolonged sitting is one step toward building a more sustainable routine—one that supports both physical health and professional performance.

Because when your body feels better, your work tends to follow.

Want to learn more about how you can seamlessly work breaks into your day? Check out this previous blog post on microshifting, the latest workday trend.

For many attorneys, the billable hour has long been the foundation of practice. It determines how time is tracked, how work is valued, and often, how success is measured. From the moment a task begins, the clock is running. Over time, that constant awareness can shape not just how lawyers work, but how they think about their careers.

In recent years, however, more attorneys have started to question that model. The pandemic, shifting workplace expectations, and the rise of alternative career paths have all contributed to a broader conversation about what it means to build a fulfilling legal career. For some, that means rethinking the role the billable hour plays in their day-to-day lives and considering what might exist beyond it.

Now let’s get into it.

The billable hour mindset. The billable hour does more than track time. For lawyers, it creates a framework for how basic work is approached. Efficiency can sometimes feel secondary to documentation, and productivity is often tied to how much of the day can be accounted for in six-minute increments.

Over time, this structure can influence decision-making in subtle ways. Lawyers may feel pressure to stay “on the clock,” even when stepping away could improve focus or clarity. It’s a system that has worked for decades, but one that doesn’t always leave room for flexibility or long-term sustainability. And if you’re always on the clock and not valuing your work-life balance, burnout can quickly creep in.

A shifting perspective. As the profession evolves, so do expectations around work. Many attorneys are beginning to prioritize factors like flexibility, autonomy, and overall well-being alongside traditional measures of success. This shift doesn’t happen overnight, but it reflects a broader realization: a successful legal career doesn’t have to follow a single, rigid path. For some, that means adjusting how they work within the billable model. For others, it means exploring entirely new directions.

Where lawyers are going. It can be intimidating to leave behind your profession and forge a new path. A completely new career always comes with growing pains. Luckily, the legal skillset is more versatile than it appears. Attorneys are increasingly finding opportunities in roles that don’t rely on billable hours, but still make full use of their training. Here are some ideas:

• In-House Counsel: Working within a company often means more predictable hours and a closer connection to business strategy.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Helping organizations navigate regulations, policies, and internal controls.
• Government & Public Service: From regulatory agencies to policy roles, many lawyers find purpose in public sector work.
• Legal Tech & Innovation: AI, automation, and legal operations are creating new opportunities for lawyers to shape the future of the profession.
• Consulting & Business Roles: Strategic thinking and problem-solving translate well into broader business environments.
• Writing, Teaching, and Thought Leadership: Some attorneys step into roles where they educate, write, or influence the profession in new ways.
  

As you can see, some move in-house, where the focus shifts toward business strategy and long-term planning. Others step into compliance, government, or consulting roles, where legal knowledge is applied in a broader context. There is also growing interest in legal technology, operations, and education; areas where lawyers can shape the future of the profession itself.

It’s not always about leaving. Moving beyond the billable hour doesn’t necessarily mean walking away from traditional practice. In many cases, the change is more about recalibration than reinvention. A lawyer might shift firms, take on a different role within their organization, or adjust their approach to work in a way that better supports their goals and mental health. The idea isn’t to abandon the profession, but to find a version of it that feels better for you.

Navigating the transition. Any career shift requires careful consideration, particularly in a profession governed by ethical obligations. Issues like client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and licensing requirements remain central, even when moving into new roles. This is why PBI offers multiple courses on transitioning to keep you informed.

Taking the time to understand these factors can make the difference between a smooth transition and a complicated one. With the right preparation, lawyers can approach change with confidence rather than uncertainty.

The legal profession isn’t standing still, and neither are the people within it. While the billable hour remains an important part of many practices, it is no longer the only way to define a successful career.

For attorneys willing to explore new possibilities, the path forward may look different, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. In fact, it may be exactly what allows them to build a career that works not just on paper, but in practice.

If you’d like to do an even deeper dive on some of these non-traditional paths for lawyers, then keep an eye on Raising the Bar for future blog posts!

Not long ago, the workday was fairly predictable. You arrived at the office at 8:00 or 9:00am sharp, worked through a set schedule, took a lunch break (hopefully), and powered through until it was time to clock out. Then came March 2020 and everything was flipped on its head. But the pandemic didn’t just alter where we work…it also forced us to rethink how we work. As remote and hybrid models took hold, professionals across industries began experimenting with flexible schedules and new routines (such as the 4-day workweek!), questioning long-standing norms, and asking one simple question: Is there a better way to structure the workday?

One emerging answer is a trend known as microshifting, a flexible approach to work that’s gaining traction among professionals looking to improve focus, productivity, and overall well-being. Of course, it might not work for everyone…but it does seem like something very worth considering for lawyers.

If you’d like to learn more about this new way to work, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a closer look at what microshifting is and how you can make it work for you.

What is Microshifting? Microshifting is exactly what it sounds like: breaking your workday into smaller, more intentional blocks, with built-in shifts for rest, movement, or different types of work (light vs. deep work). Instead of grinding through hours of work, microshifting encourages you to create space for mental resets throughout the day while also alternating between high-focus and low-focus work. If you find yourself hitting a roadblock, stepping outside for a walk or running a quick errand might be the refresher you need before returning to the task.

You might be thinking “It sounds like an excuse to do less work!” It’s not about that at all. It’s about working in a way that supports how your brain and body function. Knowing yourself, and when you do your best work, is half the battle. That way, you can construct an efficient microshifting schedule.

Why it Works (Especially for Lawyers). Legal work demands sustained concentration and attention to detail. Unfortunately, our minds aren’t wired for infinite focus. Long stretches of uninterrupted work can lead to mental fatigue and increased stress. It can also lead the mistakes, which no lawyer can afford to make. That’s why taking breaks is important! Microshifting helps build these breaks into your natural rhythm. These small shifts can help maintain clarity and reduce the cognitive overload that many attorneys experience daily.

Microshifting can also mean getting an earlier start or working later into the night, something attorneys are not strangers to. Personally, I like a hard cutoff at the end of my workday, but if I had billable hours and clients depending on me, it might be a different story. Microshifting can allow attorneys to pace themselves and continue their work for longer, possibly suiting the demands of their client’s schedules. Just don’t let it take over your work-life balance!

What Microshifting Looks Like in Practice. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but if you’re wondering what a microshifted day might look like, here’s an example:

Early Morning: Check emails. Sip your coffee. Review what’s on tap for the day or week.

Mid-Morning Break: Run an errand. Take your kids to school. Play with your pet.

Late Morning (High Focus): Deep work. Drafting, research, case strategy.

Midday Reset: Enjoy lunch. Take a walk. Do a little meditating.

Early Afternoon (Moderate Focus): Attend meetings, client communications, document review.

Late Afternoon Reset: Take a stretch break. Do a little cleaning. Have a snack.

End of Day (Light Tasks): Administrative wrap-up. Plan for tomorrow. Set goals.

This is just one example of what it could look like. What works for you could be completely different. The key is filling your day with intentional transitions, giving your brain permission to shift gears rather than forcing it to stay in work mode all day long.

Is This Realistic for Lawyers? It’s true that deadlines, court schedules, and client demands don’t always allow for perfectly structured breaks. But there are no rules when it comes to microshifting. You make it work for you by creating adjustments that benefit your workday. These adjustments could be as small as standing up between tasks, taking a five-minute walk between calls, or switching tasks when you feel fatigue start to kick in. Over time, these little shifts can lead to better focus and improved efficiency.

PBI: CLE That Fits Your (Microshifted) Schedule. One of the biggest challenges that lawyers face is finding time for professional development. When your schedule is packed to the gills, it’s easy to let CLE fall onto the back burner. Next thing you know, it’s the end of April and you’re scrambling for ethics credits! Luckily for you, PBI CLE is made for busy schedules like yours.

Instead of setting aside large blocks of time to earn credits, consider watching a short, hour-long course between tasks. Listen to one of our timely webcasts while on a walk. Or use your lower-focus periods for learning. Our flexible CLE options are designed with your busy schedule in mind! Look no further than our on-demand library, teeming with options for lawyers in every field.

Small Shifts, Big Impact. The legal profession certainly isn’t getting less demanding anytime soon. However, the way we approach our work has (and will continue) to evolve.

Microshifting offers a simple, practical way to work with your energy instead of against it. By breaking up the day and allowing for intentional resets, you can improve focus, reduce stress, and create a more sustainable workflow. Of course, some might find it works better than others! Just keep in mind that sometimes, the key to getting more done…is knowing when to step away.

If you’d like to learn more about microshifting and what people have to say about it, check out this article from AP!

Let’s be honest: Hollywood doesn’t get a lot of things right, and that includes the legal profession. What else do you expect when drama is prioritized over accuracy?

Between surprise evidence, last-minute confessions, and attorneys who somehow have unlimited time to deliver passionate monologues, legal storytelling isn’t always the most realistic. In fact, we’ve written about it before, highlighting some of the most ridiculous tropes you often see pop up in media. But every now and then, a film or a TV series manages to capture something true about the profession. Today, we take a closer look at those who did their due diligence.

If you’re looking for legal content that hits a little closer to home and won’t have you turning off the TV in frustration, here are five picks worth your time!

Now…action!

1. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

My Cousin Vinny is about a brash New York personal injury attorney defending his cousin on a murder charge in rural Alabama. While it leans heavily into comedy, it is widely praised (even by attorneys!) for its surprisingly accurate depiction of trial procedure. For example, when Vinny cross-examines an eyewitness who claims she saw the defendants leaving the scene, he methodically dismantles her testimony with a few well-timed questions. No grandstanding, no theatrics. Just preparation and precision. It’s a better illustration of effective cross-examination than most law school hypotheticals.

The film also takes its depiction of courtroom decorum seriously, from proper objections to the use of expert witnesses. In the end, Vinny earns his win not by being the most polished attorney in the room, but by being the most prepared one.

2. Michael Clayton (2007)

This thriller is the legal world at its most uncomfortable. Rather than focusing on courtroom drama, Michael Clayton chooses to explore the behind-the-scenes reality of corporate law. George Clooney plays a “fixer” at a large corporate law firm, the guy you call when a case, client, or colleague goes sideways. The plot focuses on what goes on outside of the courtroom: crisis management, ethical compromise, and the cost of working in the gray areas of corporate law for too long.

Michael Clayton’s most unsettling quality is how mundane it makes moral erosion feel. In the opening scene, Clayton is dispatched to talk a wealthy client out of confessing to a hit-and-run, and he does so with a calm, practiced persuasion. The film’s tagline: “The Truth Can Be Adjusted.”

3. The Good Wife (2009-2016)

If you’re looking for a show that strikes a balance between drama and realism, The Good Wife is hard to beat. The plot follows Alicia Florrick, a former attorney who returns to practice after her husband’s public scandal forces her back into the workforce. Across seven seasons, it displays a genuine respect for the mechanics of legal practice.

What separates it from most legal dramas is its willingness to let cases be complicated. Not everything is so black and white: clients aren’t always sympathetic, opposing counsel isn’t always wrong, and judges can be biased. Rather than dramatic confrontation, resolutions grow from careful documentation and patience. It portrays how disputes typically get solved in real life. Of course, it does take some creative liberties here and there…it is made for entertainment, after all!

4. The Lincoln Lawyer (2011 Film & Netflix Series)

This one deserves a spotlight for its insight into how lawyers actually operate in practice, offering a grounded portrait of day-to-day legal practice. The main character, Mickey Haller, isn’t your typical office-bound attorney. He works from the back of a car, manages a diverse client base, and constantly balances ethics, strategy, and survival. What the show gets right isn’t any single dramatic moment…it’s the texture of life as an attorney. The constant juggling of cases. The client who lies to you and puts your entire strategy at risk. The negotiation that takes place in a courthouse hallway rather than the courtroom itself.

In one early episode of the series, Haller discovers that a client he helped convict years ago may have actually been innocent. The ethical burden of that weighs on him for multiple episodes without a tidy resolution. That kind of ambiguity, with no happy ending in sight, can feel all too real.

5. 12 Angry Men (1957)

There is no courtroom in this movie. No attorneys. Just twelve jurors in a sweltering deliberation room, deciding whether a teenager lives or dies. Somehow, it’s one of the most instructive movies ever made about how legal outcomes are shaped by human behavior. The film focuses on a single holdout juror who isn’t certain the defendant is innocent, but isn’t certain enough to vote guilty. What follows is a two-hour study in persuasion, reasonable doubt, and the way personal bias quietly distorts judgment. In one pivotal scene, a juror’s vote is revealed to be driven not by evidence, but by his own unresolved anger towards his son. It’s a reminder that the people inside a legal proceeding are not always neutral arbiters of fact.

For trial attorneys especially, this is a worthy watch not as entertainment, but as a study in how arguments resonate beyond the courtroom.

Honorable Mention: Suits

Is it realistic? No, not really. Is it entertaining? Absolutely. Suits gets points for capturing the intensity and competitiveness of big law, but loses points for…well, everything else. Still, it’s a useful reminder that public perception of the legal profession is often shaped by what people see on their screens. That makes the rest of this list’s accurate portrayals all the more valuable.

At the end of the day, no fiction can ever truly capture what it’s like working in the legal world. The tight deadlines, the hours of research, the routine client calls, the many, many meetings…those don’t make for compelling entertainment. But the best legal stories do something else: they highlight the human side of the profession. They give those on the outside a clearer look at the inner workings within this complex career, and what it takes to be an attorney.

That’s what’s worth paying attention to, both on screen and off screen.