Screenwriting : The Lawyer of Absurd. A Grand Beginning by Aleksandr Rozhnov

Congratulations, Aleksandr Rozhnov! I definitely recommend hiring a practicing attorney to consult on your project. U.S. law is really complex!

Hi Aleksandr,

Great concept, the blend of legal realism with absurdity is a strong and tricky balance to strike.

AI can be a solid tool for structure, terminology, and procedural logic, especially early on. But in my experience, what really makes legal stories feel authentic are the human details: how lawyers speak under pressure, the shortcuts they take, the unspoken rules, the emotional cost behind “winning.”

If the project moves forward seriously, even a brief consultation with a practicing attorney (or former one) could add texture that AI simply can’t replicate. Not necessarily for accuracy alone, but for behavior and tone.

Using both, AI for research and a human voice for reality, might give you the best of both worlds.

Best of luck with the project, it sounds fun and smart.

— Koby

Congrats, and the series sounds like it's going to be fun. I would say, use AI as you starting point, but do your own Google research to confirm what you have found and then run it by a lawyer for the final confirmation.

Here is why:

1. AI sometimes gives incorrect case citing. A lawyer has already gotten in trouble for this. I believe he may have lost his license as a result. https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-hallucinat...

2. AI can sometimes cite old laws that no longer apply.

3. Lawyers' jobs are not only to find loopholes but to research and battle test, a combination of factors that might help acquit or convict a defendant or to successfully sue a company. Sometimes the law is not clear cut and the circumstance, and the law can combine to set new precedent, and an experienced lawyer would be able to tell you how things would really play out and the nuances of the law in various states or jurisdictions.

4. A lawyer can tell you how long different types of cases get delayed or the different style of judges they face. Not to mention some of the wilder stories that happen in court.

5. A lawyer can accurately tell you the difference in procedures and debates they have with themselves as a solo lawyer or their team as a firm or even debates with colleagues that the internet or AI would not have, because those scenarios happen behind closed doors and are not necessarily documented.

So, start with AI as the bones and then matriculate to a lawyer for subsequent drafts for the meat.

I understand that U.S. law is extremely complex. My goal, however, is to create a legal procedural with elements of sarcasm and humor, not an encyclopedia of jurisprudence with absolute legal precision.

The cases my main character handles are intentionally very unique and borderline absurd — situations that would not exist in real life. That creative freedom is part of the concept.

To be honest, I’ve already spent a lot of time researching how certain legal processes work — for example, inheritance law, required documents, and how business succession functions. In particular, I’m developing a pilot episode centered around an inheritance case, and through this research I’ve begun to clearly see how the pilot could be structured in a way that feels believable rather than invented.

Hiring a professional U.S. attorney as a consultant is unfortunately very expensive, and at this stage I simply don’t have that budget — especially for an American lawyer. For now, I’m relying on research and AI assistance, even though I would genuinely prefer to consult with real legal professionals.

That’s why I’m sharing this here. If any lawyers or legally experienced professionals are part of this community and would be open to a conversation, I would be very happy to connect. I’d love to share the concept of the series and the types of cases involved — I’m sure someone with legal expertise could offer valuable insights and guidance.

If you’re a lawyer and this sounds interesting to you, I’d be glad to talk.

I think this is the approach I’ll take.

I’ll write the pilot episode using AI (ChatGPT) as a starting point. After that, I’ll prepare a pitch deck where I’ll clearly state that, for a deeper, richer, and more compelling series, legal consultation is essential.

I’m absolutely open—and willing—to collaborate with a lawyer, and my plan would be to develop a third draft with direct input from a practicing attorney, once the project reaches that stage.

For now, I’ll be using AI for the first draft simply because I don’t currently have the budget to hire a lawyer. That said, my intention is not to replace human expertise, but to use AI as a tool to build the foundation before bringing in a legal professional to add authenticity, nuance, and real-world texture.

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful advice and insights—I really appreciate the perspectives shared here.

One more key element I want to share about the series concept.

The heart of the show is the main character. He’s a brilliant attorney, the best at what he does — but he’s a little person. That contrast is intentional, but the story never treats him as weak or limited. On the contrary, he carries himself like a confident, fully self-possessed man.

He loves basketball. He has two dogs who obey him unquestioningly — and interestingly, they’re almost the same height as he is. These personal details matter to me, because I want to weave his life, his history, and his everyday situations into the series, not just the cases.

That said, the core of the show takes place in the courtroom. This lawyer proves things that should be impossible to prove. Case after case, he dismantles arguments no one else would even attempt. Judges, opposing counsel, everyone in the room is left stunned — because he completely outplays them.

The tone balances sharp legal maneuvering with irony, character-driven humor, and controlled absurdity. It’s not about mocking the system, but about watching someone who doesn’t fit expectations absolutely dominate it.

That’s the kind of series I’m building.

Very good initiative.

consult an attorney and A.i.

both