Working Hardly: The Wisdom of Alan Shore
- Survive Law
- Sep 15, 2013
- 2 min read
I’m not actually sure whether the wisdom of Alan Shore from Boston Legal can be practically applied to daily life as a lawyer, but a law firm that will allow me to dress up as a flamingo is the type of firm I aspire to work for, and I’d love to have a best friend called Denny Crane. Practical or not, here are some of my favourite lessons from Alan Shore…
1. How to respond to process servers
“You Alan Shore?”
“Not if you’re a process server”
2. Prepare a Persuasive Closing Argument (and Learn the word ‘Schadenfreude’)
“Schadenfreude. From the German words, Schaden and Freude, damage and joy. It means to take spiteful, malicious delight in the misfortune of others. We used to dismiss this as simply an ugly side of human nature, but it is much, much more than that.
“Recently a Stanford professor actually captured Schadenfreude on a brain scan. It’s a physiological medical phenomenon. When we see others fall it sometimes causes a chemical to be released in the dorsal striatum of the brain, which actually causes us to feel pleasure.
“If you watch the news or read the papers, which of course you don’t because the Judge said not to, but if you did, you would see the undeniable delicious joy of the media and the public over Kelly Nolan’s plight. I have no doubt that you want Kelly Nolan to be punished. She married for money, she had an affair, she carried on naked in the pool with her boyfriend. She’s cold, materialistic, unlikable, and it might bring you all pleasure to see her go to jail.
“But as for evidence to establish that she committed a murder beyond all reasonable doubt? It just isn’t there. The only possible route to a guilty verdict here is Schadenfreude.”
3. Sometimes, there are more important things in life
“My New Year’s resolution…is to appreciate my friends every day and catch more fish”
4. On Working Late
“I always feel slightly sick to my stomach when I work alone in the office late at night”
“I thought you liked being alone”
“Oh, I love being alone. I just prefer to be alone where there’s other people around”
5. Eat Donuts
“I suppose coming to a lawyer’s office can’t be much fun”
“Actually, everyone seems friendly here.”
“Well, they’re given an unlimited supply of donuts”
6. Is law for you?
“You’ll recall I once advised you fleeing the practice of law because it’s an ugly occupation which calls opponents participants to do ugly things. I’m very accomplished to the practice of law, Jerry.”
7. Getting even is awesome
“To err is human, but to get even? THAT is divine.”
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The insights shared here about Alan Shore are both humorous and thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the way the post highlights how wit, perspective, and a bit of irreverence can make the intense world of law more human and relatable. Moments like the reflection on working late or valuing friendships remind us that even in demanding professions, balance and personality matter. In many ways, lessons like these apply beyond legal practice—they speak to professionals in all fields trying to navigate ambition and life at the same time.
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Alan Shore is such a classic character, and this post perfectly captures why his 'wisdom' is so memorable! The quote about preferring to be alone where there are other people around is something I think a lot of us can relate to during those late-night study or work sessions. It's a great reminder that while the law can be an 'ugly occupation,' the people and the humor are what make it survivable.
Following the journey of a complex character like Alan is much like diving into a long-running Book series—you really get to see all the different facets of their personality over time. For anyone looking for more Books to read that feature sharp wit and compelling professional dramas, this was…
Really enjoyed this thought‑provoking piece on Alan Shore’s wisdom — it’s a great reminder that working hard and thinking smart go hand in hand. While reflecting on the value of purpose and effort, I also want to share support for initiatives that uplift entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. For anyone looking to expand their reach, you can get a free business listing for black owned business and a Business directory submission for black owned business on GreenBookOnline — awesome resources for visibility and community support!
This is such a thoughtful exploration of Alan Shore’s wisdom — really made me reflect on the balance between working hard and working smart. It’s a good reminder that taking care of ourselves is part of sustaining long‑term success. On that note, I’ve found that investing in a quality scalp treatment and Hair Repair Treatment helps me feel refreshed and confident even during the busiest seasons. Thanks for the insightful read!
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