The pilot episode of Suits introduces viewers to the high-stakes world of corporate law through the characters Harvey Specter, a top lawyer at Pearson Hardman, and Mike Ross, a brilliant college dropout with a photographic memory. While the episode is filled with legal drama and clever tactics, it also showcases several actions that would constitute serious violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) under Washington law. Here’s a breakdown of the key RPC violations in this episode.
1. Unauthorized Practice of Law (RPC 5.5)
The central violation in the pilot episode is the unauthorized practice of law. Mike Ross, who never attended law school and doesn’t have a law degree, is hired by Harvey Specter as an associate at Pearson Hardman.
Washington Law: Under RPC 5.5, a lawyer must not assist another person in the unauthorized practice of law. By hiring Mike and allowing him to represent clients, Harvey is directly violating this rule. In Washington State, this could lead to severe disciplinary actions, including suspension or disbarment for Harvey, as well as potential criminal charges for both Harvey and Mike.
2. Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit, or Misrepresentation (RPC 8.4)
Harvey’s decision to hide Mike’s lack of credentials from the firm and clients involves multiple forms of dishonesty and deceit. This misrepresentation is a fundamental violation of legal ethics.
Washington Law: RPC 8.4 defines professional misconduct to include conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. Harvey’s actions in presenting Mike as a qualified lawyer clearly fall under this violation. In Washington, such conduct could lead to disbarment, severe penalties, and a loss of the right to practice law.
3. Conflict of Interest (RPC 1.7)
While not as prominently featured in this episode, the hiring of Mike could create potential conflicts of interest, especially if Mike’s past or lack of qualifications compromises the firm’s ability to represent clients effectively.
Washington Law: RPC 1.7 governs conflicts of interest, prohibiting representation where there is a significant risk that the lawyer’s ability to represent the client will be materially limited. By hiring an unqualified associate, Harvey risks the integrity of the firm’s client representation, potentially violating this rule.
4. Failure to Supervise (RPC 5.3)
Harvey’s decision to allow Mike to handle legal tasks, despite knowing he is not qualified, highlights a significant failure to supervise.
Washington Law: RPC 5.3 requires lawyers to ensure that their non-lawyer staff complies with the professional obligations of the lawyer. By failing to adequately supervise Mike and allowing him to perform legal work without proper credentials, Harvey is in clear violation of this rule.
5. Competence (RPC 1.1)
Harvey’s delegation of a pro bono sexual harassment case to Mike, knowing Mike is unqualified, raises serious issues of competence.
Washington Law: RPC 1.1 requires lawyers to provide competent representation to their clients. This includes the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation. Harvey’s delegation of a case to an unqualified individual jeopardizes the client’s case and violates the rule of competence.
Conclusion
The pilot episode of Suits sets the stage for a series filled with ethical and legal challenges. The actions of Harvey Specter in hiring and allowing Mike Ross to practice law without a license would constitute serious violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct under Washington law. These violations could lead to significant disciplinary action, including suspension or disbarment, and highlight the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the legal profession. Understanding these violations helps emphasize the serious consequences of disregarding professional ethics and legal rules.
