In a World of Warners, Be Like Elle: The Benefits of a Prosocial Community Focus to Being a Lawyer (as Explored through Legally Blonde)

The toxicity and abuses of power that occur within the legal profession are well-known, and a long-standing problem. In this paper we explore how kindness and community building in the study and practice of law can lead to better outcomes for all concerned. We do this through an examination of literature addressing the legal profession and law school, and behavioural research on the impacts of prosocial behaviour, which leads us to conclude that Elle Woods in the role model that any lawyer or law student who is interested in kindness should look to for inspiration. While this approach may not solve the wholesale cultural issues faced in law school in the legal profession, we suggest it might create pockets of alternate reality for those who love the law but hate the culture of the legal profession.