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The success of The Lincoln Lawyer is proof that plenty of people are drawn to legal dramas. Premiering in 2022, this Manuel Garcia-Rulfo-starring Netflix show recently released its third season, complete with ten episodes, on October 17, 2024. David E. Kelley's show thrives thanks to its character-driven narrative, which comes from the mind of Michael Connelly, who has a knack for crime fiction.
The Lincoln Lawyer focuses on Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo), a skillful defense attorney based out of Los Angeles. He prefers to work out of his car, a Lincoln Navigator, which is why he becomes known as "The Lincoln Lawyer". The exciting cases, big and small, coupled with relatable characters help keep the viewers entertained season after season.
Fans of The Lincoln Lawyer looking for similar shows to binge-watch can use this list as a guide to direct them toward worthy titles boasting imaginative legal-themed narratives.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
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Matlock, Injustice and six other engaging shows like The Lincoln Lawyer that delve beneath the legalities
1) Matlock (1986)
Like Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer, this vintage show is also centered around a competent defense attorney. The protagonist, Ben Matlock, portrayed by Andy Griffith, is so good at his job that his clients are more than willing to pay the hefty fees of $100,000. However, he does take on pro bono cases every now and then, albeit begrudgingly.
The star of the show has to be Matlock, who is sharp as a tack. Throughout nine seasons and 193 episodes, he never fails to uncover overlooked clues that can help prove his client's innocence. In most cases, Matlock is able to expose the real perpetrator when the person is on the stand.
The cleverly written narrative is full of suspenseful twists and turns. The perfectly timed humor and surprising guest stars add to the viewing experience. A gender-flipped reboot of this show starring Kathy Bates recently premiered on September 22, 2024.
Where to watch: Matlock is available on Prime Video and Plex.
2) The Defenders (2010)
The Lincoln Lawyer is a treat to watch because the show doesn't only focus on the tough cases but also on Haller's personal struggles. Likewise, in The Defenders, viewers get to see both the personal and professional side of the central characters.
Jerry O'Connell and Jim Belushi play Pete Kaczmarek and Nick Morelli, a pair of defense attorneys who practice in Las Vegas, Nevada. Like The Lincoln Lawyer's Haller, they get all sorts of cases ranging from easy fixes to high-profile scandals.
The friendship dynamic between Pete and Nick has to be one of the highlights of The Defenders. The banter between the two coupled with perfect comedic timing makes for memorable scenes that make the show worth binge-watching.
Where to watch: The Defenders, containing 18 episodes in total, can be streamed on Apple TV+ and Plex.
3) Injustice (2011)
Often people assume that defense lawyers are coldhearted but in The Lincoln Lawyer, it becomes obvious soon enough that Haller does have inhibitions about representing clients who are guilty. In Injustice, criminal defense barrister William Travers, played by James Purefoy, also feels the same way. In fact, his hesitation is amplified after a particularly tragic incident.
William, aka Will, moves away from London after a murder case makes him lose faith in the legal system. But when an old friend is accused of murder, he finds himself back in the middle of all the lies and conspiracy.
The way the show uses Will's past experiences to shape his character really adds to the thrilling narrative. It also introduces well-developed antagonists who viewers will love to hate. Even though Injustice is only five episodes long, it has several clever twists and turns to captivate the audience.
Where to watch: Episodes of Injustice can be viewed on Prime Video.
4) Perry Mason (2020)
Fans of The Lincoln Lawyer know that Haller likes to do thorough research whenever he gets a new case. The protagonist of Perry Mason follows a similar approach and remains unperturbed by the many challenges that come his way.
Created by author Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason is a beloved character who has appeared in a total of 82 novels. In the show, Mason is portrayed by Matthew Rhys. The narrative covers how Mason transitions from being a down-on-his-luck private investigator to a sought-after defense lawyer. His turning point involves a sensational child kidnapping trial.
Containing two seasons and 16 episodes, Perry Mason is a riveting watch with impressive cinematography. In terms of the narrative, it is darker and grittier as compared to The Lincoln Lawyer but it still captures the thrill of uncovering leads that can unravel a complex case.
Where to watch: Fans of the genre can watch episodes of Perry Mason on Max and Apple TV+.
5) So Help Me Todd (2022)
While it is true that the narrative of The Lincoln Lawyer explores many heavy topics, it also has its fair share of lighthearted scenes that help balance it out. So Help Me Todd, starring Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin, also boasts a witty narrative that is both thrilling and humorous.
The show differs from The Lincoln Lawyer in the sense that the protagonist is not a lawyer himself. Instead, Astin's character, Todd, is a private investigator. The black sheep of the family, he lacks the drive to get ahead in his career. But his true potential comes to light when he starts working for his mother's law firm as an in-house investigator. It has two seasons and 31 episodes.
Todd's character has several similarities with Haller from The Lincoln Lawyer. They both have great instincts and always find ways to get around a sticky situation. In addition to the clever cases, this show grows on the viewer thanks to the beautifully portrayed push-and-pull dynamic between Todd and his mother, Margaret (Harden).
Where to watch: So Help Me Todd is available for streaming on Apple TV+.
6) One Dollar Lawyer (2022)
Even though it might not seem like it at first, The Lincoln Lawyer's Haller isn't necessarily fond of the wealthy. He tends to empathize with people who turn to a life of crime to escape their poverty-stricken circumstances. In One Dollar Lawyer, protagonist Chun Ji-hoon, played by Namkoong Min, becomes a hero in the eyes of the needy when he sets his lawyer charges only at 1000 South Korean won.
In addition to helping his clients, Chun Ji-hoon also uses his skills to track down the culprit behind his girlfriend's death. Like The Lincoln Lawyer, One Dollar Lawyer is also a character-driven drama centered around an enigmatic protagonist who has a way with words.
Namkoong Min stands out as Chun Ji-hoon and can easily switch between serious and silly, depending on what the scene calls for. The witty narrative is able to capture the viewer's attention with a string of unexpected twists and turns that are hard to predict. This show, containing 12 episodes in total, also boasts plenty of heartwarming moments that stay with the audience.
Where to watch: One Dollar Lawyer can be viewed on Disney+ and Apple TV+.
7) Reasonable Doubt (2022)
Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer has a tight grasp on everything that happens in the courtroom, but even someone as smart as him has trouble navigating the challenges of his personal life. The same goes for Emayatzy Corinealdi's character, Jax Stewart, in Reasonable Doubt, who is at the top of her game professionally but struggles to keep her private life from falling apart.
Based out of Los Angeles, Stewart is a skilled defense lawyer. People tend to comment on her unconventional methods but more often than not, she is the only one that clients can depend on to win their case.
Like The Lincoln Lawyer, this show boasts well-developed characters portrayed by a talented cast who knows exactly how to maintain the intensity of the narrative. It also helps that the cases featured on the show are complex and intriguing to keep viewers hooked. As the show only has two seasons and 19 episodes, it is the perfect choice for a weekend binge.
Where to watch: Reasonable Doubt is available for streaming on Hulu and Apple TV+.
8) May It Please the Court (2022)
The Lincoln Lawyer is an exploration of how the imperfect legal system can sometimes harbor the deceitful and corrupt instead of delivering justice. May It Please the Court also showcases how loopholes in the law can be used by criminals to get away with heinous crimes.
Based on a book by real-life lawyer Jeong Hye-jin, May It Please the Court follows Noh Chak-Hee, portrayed by Jung Ryeo-won, a talented lawyer who is forced to work at the Seoul public defender's office. There she meets an unorthodox public defender, Jwa Si-Baek (Lee Kyu-hyung), who helps her look at cases and life in general from a new perspective.
May It Please the Court, similar to The Lincoln Lawyer, is able to enthrall the viewer with an intelligent plot enhanced by realistic character arcs. The witty banter between Noh Chak-Hee and Jwa Si-Baek never disappoints. In addition to the intrigue, it also has a lot of beautifully written emotional scenes that will tug at the viewer's heartstrings.
Where to watch: All 12 episodes of May It Please the Court can be streamed on Disney+.
These engaging shows are perfect for fans of The Lincoln Lawyer because they offer the perfect mix of complicated cases and memorable protagonists.
