Take a Break From the Real World With Some TV Lawyers

As the year winds down, we’re all getting our priorities in order — like what we plan to watch in 2022. Legal dramas can provide a reliable escape or another look at aspects of your own world that you’ve never considered before. But these shows aren’t just about telling interesting stories about the people in law (and we all know accuracy isn’t necessarily the point!). They can also serve a social function, portraying the legal system as a structure that has boundaries and rules — a space where things make sense and work. Even if we all know that’s not exactly how the real world works, isn’t it pretty to think so? Consider these forthcoming shows as you plan your 2022 TV diet:

“Partner Track”

Netflix’s new drama series “Partner Track” is an adaptation of Helen Wan’s novel of the same name. The story will follow a young, idealistic lawyer named Ingrid Yun (played by Arden Cho). She’s on the verge of becoming the first Asian American woman to make partner at an elite New York City law firm. As this ambitious, fierce legal eagle fights to climb the ladder, she struggles with her passions and moral compass. Sarah Goldfinger and Georgia Lee will serve as writers and showrunners. “We are so deeply excited to bring this story of an Asian American woman trying to break the glass ceiling at an elite law firm to life,” Lee said.

“Reasonable Doubt”

Disney’s recently launched brand, Onyx Collective, is ready to release its first scripted series on Hulu. The brand is dedicated to releasing work from underrepresented voices and creators of color. “Reasonable Doubt,” a legal drama that will be executive produced by Kerry Washington of “Scandal,” will feature Jax Stewart, played by Emayatzy Corinealdi, displaying some questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law. Viewers will see her for what she is: the most brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles, who bucks the justice system every chance she gets. The show bills itself as a bid to undermine the status quo in front of and behind the camera. To that end, it will be powered by an all-Black writers’ room. And unlike prosecutor-focused shows, it will seek to cast defense attorneys and the marginalized people they represent in a more sympathetic light.

“Relative Justice With Judge Rhonda Wills”

If you prefer a reality TV fix, “Relative Justice With Judge Rhonda Wills” may fit the bill. Centered on real-life plaintiffs’ litigator Judge Rhonda Wills, each episode features a family dispute and the judge’s attempt to sort it out.

“One of five children and a mother of four, [Wills] has experienced similar family dynamics and scenarios to many of those that appear before her in her courtroom,” the show producers said in a statement.

Judge Rhonda draws from these experiences, along with her legal expertise, to shape her judgments. This allows her to preside with a blend of tough love, grace and thoughtful compassion. As a result, Judge Rhonda is able to resolve litigants’ legal disputes effectively while helping bring families back together. As the wildly popular longtime show “Judge Judy” comes to an end, “Relative Justice,” may be the future of court TV.