Movies

6 Best TV Shows Like The Lincoln Lawyer

BBG News

While The Lincoln Lawyer is widely recognized as a standout legal drama of recent years, it’s not the only series set within a courtroom. In fact, numerous legal-procedural shows from the last two decades also focus on the escapades of an unconventional lawyer dealing with significant cases. Remarkably, some of these series served as inspiration for Mickey Haller’s character and the defendants featured in The Lincoln Lawyer, while others have been impacted by the groundbreaking Netflix show themselves.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that “The Lincoln Lawyer” is a captivating adaptation from Michael Connelly’s beloved book series. The masterful hand behind this transformation belongs to David E. Kelley, a seasoned TV crime writer with an impressive background as an attorney himself. This unique blend of legal expertise and creative prowess has earned him a prominent place in the pantheon of contemporary legal dramas.

However, it’s important to note that “The Lincoln Lawyer” is not entirely unique. There are numerous other remarkable shows that delve into the complexities of law, some of which share striking similarities with this production. Kelley has certainly left his mark, but the world of legal dramas is a rich and varied landscape.

6. Boston Legal (2004-2008)

Starring James Spader & William Shatner

Although Boston Legal from David E. Kelley in the 2000s has a somewhat more casual tone, it shares significant parallels with The Lincoln Lawyer. Likewise, this series frequently delves into the personal relationships between its characters outside of court, and its lead character, Alan Shore, embodies the archetypal defense lawyer who consistently flouts rules. Portrayed brilliantly by James Spader, Shore’s character serves as a model for Mickey Haller’s persona in The Lincoln Lawyer, as well as Billy McBride from Goliath and many other complex, rule-breaking TV antiheroes within the crime genre.

In my perspective, Alan Shore often finds himself at odds with his legal firm, Crane, Poole & Schmidt, due to employing unconventional tactics to gather evidence for cases – tactics that frequently rub superiors the wrong way. However, despite these methods, Denny Crane, my indomitable superior, holds a deep respect for Shore and allows for his unique approach to law practice. Beyond the office walls, they share an extraordinary bond of friendship that transcends their professional lives. This dynamic between them reminds me of the relationship between Mickey Haller and David “Legal” Siegel in The Lincoln Lawyer, albeit with a twist: Legal isn’t confined to working alongside Mickey within the same law firm.

5. The Good Fight (2017-2020)

Starring Christine Baranski

In another series that revolves around a rebellious attorney, unlike Mickey Haller who left his profession before the events in The Lincoln Lawyer, Christine Baranski’s character Diane Lockhart did not abandon her career. Instead, Lockhart and her protege Maia Rindell find themselves in a difficult situation from the beginning of the show, as they are pushed out of Lockhart’s law firm due to a financial scam.

In recent years, no legal drama has tackled current issues and politics more head-on than “The Good Fight.” This series delves deeply into the complex themes of racism and sexism within and beyond the legal field. Its storylines are rooted in reality, drawing from real-life events such as the #MeToo movement, Black Lives Matter protests, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The show frequently takes on a mockumentary-like quality, blending behind-the-scenes political machinations and television news coverage into its episodes.

4. The Night Of (2016)

Starring Riz Ahmed & John Turturro

In essence, the eight-part miniseries titled “The Night Of” is structured similarly to an entire season of a show like “The Lincoln Lawyer“. The captivating plot twists surrounding Naz Shah’s murder trial keep viewers engaged throughout the series’ 10-hour duration. Moreover, John Turturro’s defense attorney character, John Stone, presents legal strategies that are almost as impressive as Mickey Haller’s.

The Night Of” is an intricately woven, multi-layered legal mystery that rivals some of the greatest thrillers ever made. With a quality that matches many cinematic classics, it’s a TV show that stands out in the era of streaming services. While John Stone may not possess the charisma of Haller from “The Lincoln Lawyer,” he doesn’t need to because “The Night Of” concludes its narrative within a single series of episodes. Despite this, it remains one of the most captivating dramas available on any streaming platform.

3. Reasonable Doubt (2022–Present)

Starring Emayatzy Corinealdi & MicKinley Freeman

The series “Reasonable Doubt” is most similar to “The Lincoln Lawyer” among the shows listed. It focuses on a defense attorney based in Los Angeles, but unlike Mickey Haller’s clients who are suspected criminals, Jax Stewart often represents more affluent individuals. With two seasons already released, it has kept both audiences and critics engaged with its intricate storylines and clever dialogue. Emayatzy Corinealdi delivers a captivating performance as the main character, while her legal team offers engaging subplots that mirror Lorna, Cisco, and Izzy’s stories in “The Lincoln Lawyer.

In essence, Jax Stewart’s character seems designed to reflect that of Haller, with her former spouse recurring in episode narratives much like Maggie does in “The Lincoln Lawyer.” For fans who are more captivated by Mickey Haller’s personal life than the courtroom drama or technical aspects of his job, “Reasonable Doubt” is the legal drama not to be missed.

2. Presumed Innocent (2024-Present)

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal & Ruth Negga

Despite initially being planned as a standalone miniseries, “Presumed Innocent” has been brought back for a second installment due to the captivating performance of the first. Similar to “The Lincoln Lawyer,” this series is derived from a novel that was previously made into a movie before moving to a streaming service. The character played by Jake Gyllenhaal is a lawyer, and he’s implicated in murder – much like Mickey Haller will be in season 4 of “The Lincoln Lawyer.

In the updated version of “Presumed Innocent,” played by Gyllenhaal, Rusty Sabich employs his prosecutorial acumen to clear himself from accusations that potentially land him in prison for life. Critics have lauded this modern take on Alan J. Paluka’s film adaptation of Scott Turrow’s novel, particularly the courtroom scenes. Although the characters may not be as relatable or complex as those in “The Lincoln Lawyer,” the gripping narrative keeps viewers hooked due to the moral gray areas that define its primary figures.

1. Goliath (2016-2021)

Starring Billy Bob Thornton. William Hurt, & Mark Duplass

If the main focus of “The Lincoln Lawyer” is the journey of its protagonist Mickey Haller, then viewers who enjoyed this Netflix series will likely find a familiar spirit in Billy McBride, the lead character in Prime Video’s legal drama “Goliath.” Similar to Mickey Haller, Billy McBride is a battle-hardened lawyer with doubts about the fairness of the justice system. Additionally, much like Mickey Haller, Billy McBride is a former substance abuser who is reluctantly drawn back into practicing law, representing defendants despite his misgivings.

Billy McBride exhibits a greater disregard for decorum than Mickey Haller does, frequently flouting even the most fundamental rules of his profession. This behavior often leads to him irritating both judges and legal adversaries. Just like the TV portrayal of Haller, McBride is a creation of David E. Kelley, who likely took direct inspiration from his work on “Goliath” while adapting “The Lincoln Lawyer” for Netflix. Interestingly, he worked on these shows consecutively, starting on the latter as the former was wrapping up.

It’s tough to picture Mickey Haller from “The Lincoln Lawyer” today without Billy McBride paving the way first. The popular Netflix show has taken inspiration from many places, with Michael Connelly’s style of writing legal fiction being one of them. However, Goliath might be the most similar series to “The Lincoln Lawyer ” that came before it, and is a show that fans of the former are likely to love.

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2025-05-02 18:22

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