I first saw Legally Blonde when I was young and hated everything pink--I had actually come off my "I love everything pink" phase. I laughed at how she acted so silly but ended up being serious. It wasn't until I grew up a little that I began to look up to Elle Woods. I didn't understand the California girly-girl vibe she had going on, but I understood and liked her person. When I decided I wanted to be a lawyer, I watched Legally Blonde again and saw Elle through new eyes. I saw her as an inspiration to future attorneys.

1. Elle got a 179 on her LSATs.

And a 4.0, obtained a degree in business (with a fashion merchandising concentration) from UCLA, and was the president of a major, well-known sorority. Did she actually take any LSAT prep classes? Nope. She just armed herself with a prep book and a study buddy.

2. She graduated as valedictorian from Harvard Law School.

Warner I-Want-to-Marry-a-Jackie-not-a-Marilyn Huntington, as you remember, got wait-listed, and only accepted to Harvard Law because his father pulled some strings. He also didn't graduate with honors or job offers (which probably says a lot if law firms aren't clamoring to hire a Harvard grad).

3. She scored a highly competitive, high-power internship as a first year law student.

A. First. Year. Law. Student. And an internship with one of the best criminal defense attorneys, working on a high power case. Law students everywhere would sell their souls for something like that. Not Elle, she worked for it and got it.

4. She won the Brooke Wyndham case.

Again, as a first year law student. Her professor and internship supervisor, one of the best criminal defense attorneys couldn't do it, the defense team wanted to settle, and she didn't even use her client's alibi. SHE GOT CHUTNEY TO CONFESS ON THE STAND, YOU GUYS.

5. Elle Woods is not mean.

Despite being taunted, teased, and insulted, Elle never became the Regina George mean girl. She did have some good snarky comebacks.

6. She fought to be taken seriously.

The film plays up the Valley Girl stereotype, but within the legal world, plenty of women fight this fight--they want to be respected as a lawyer, not a pair of legs. At first Elle wanted to win back her ex-boyfriend by proving that she was "serious." Callahan didn't think she was serious when he hit on her. So Elle proved it to herself that she could be "serious," that she could get what she wanted.

7. She did it all on her own.

You never see Elle relying on her looks to get by, or pulling any strings because she has money. *cough cough* Warner *cough cough* Sure, Elle was rich, white, and attractive, so she was privileged in several ways, but she never begged or used anything other than her own wits, skill, and determination to get what she wanted.

8. She has a good heart and a good head on her shoulders.

At times, Elle seems a little naive or innocent--which I totally call BS on because you can't be that unaware of mean people in your life--but that's mostly a script writer's error. But Elle cares about people, and believes the best in them. She's smart, clever, classy, and a genuinely good person. And she's a great role model for future lawyers.