The Lincoln Lawyer is an American legal drama television series created for television by David E. Kelley and developed by Ted Humphrey, based on the books of Michael Connelly. It stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a defense attorney in Los Angeles who often works out of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, and Yaya DaCosta also star.
The first season is based on Connelly's 2008 novel The Brass Verdict, a sequel to his novel The Lincoln Lawyer. It premiered on Netflix on May 13, 2022. It received generally positive reviews from critics. In June 2022, the series was renewed for a second season. It is based upon Connelly's 2011 novel, The Fifth Witness and it streamed in two parts. The first part was released on July 6, 2023, and the second released on August 3. In August 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, based on Connelly's 2013 novel The Gods of Guilt, and was released on October 17, 2024. In January 2025, the series was renewed for a fourth season, based on the sixth book in the series, The Law of Innocence, and released on February 5, 2026. In January 2026, the series was renewed for a fifth and final season, which will be based on the seventh book in the series, Resurrection Walk.
Premise Lawyer Mickey Haller works in the back of his Lincoln Navigator as he takes on cases in Los Angeles.
In the first season, following a recent recovery from a drug addiction, Mickey is called back into action when he inherits all the cases of a recently murdered colleague. The most prominent of these cases is that of Trevor Elliott, a billionaire video game designer accused of the murder of his wife and her lover. While handling the cases, he hires one of the clients, another recovering drug addict, Izzy Letts, as his driver, and they help each other remain sober. In addition to his career, he also attempts to regain joint custody of his daughter Hayley, who currently lives with her mother, his first ex-wife, prosecutor Maggie McPherson, who he has an on-off relationship with and who is currently prosecuting a human trafficking case while deciding who to support in the upcoming election for District Attorney. Meanwhile, his second ex-wife, Lorna Crane, works for him as his legal aide after dropping out of law school and has a platonic relationship with him, while being engaged to Dennis "Cisco" Wojciechowski, a private investigator employed by Mickey who was formerly part of a motorcycle gang. Throughout the season, Mickey also cooperates with the police as they investigate the murder of his colleague, in addition to struggling with the initial reason for his addiction, Jesus Menendez, a client who he forced to plead guilty despite believing he was innocent.
In the second season, following the events of the first, Mickey's career has recovered while Maggie's has stalled. While finishing the case of Menendez, Mickey meets Lisa Trammell, a chef accused of killing a developer who was trying to take her home and business, and represents her. Lorna and Cisco, as their wedding day approaches, struggle with their own problems, as Lorna is overwhelmed due to having returned to law school and Cisco does one last job for his former gang. Maggie, meanwhile, tries to reestablish her career, and Izzy attempts to open her own business.
In the third season, Mickey represents a digital pimp accused of murdering one of his own former clients, who he believes is innocent. While doing so, he enters a relationship with the prosecutor he went against in the last season, Andrea Freemann. Lorna, meanwhile, finishes law school and becomes a lawyer, while Izzy struggles with her business failing.
In the fourth season, Mickey is charged with the murder of his own client, and defends himself with the aid of his team and Maggie. Lorna, now a lawyer, struggles to establish herself in her new career, while Izzy begins a new relationship.
Cast and characters Main Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a criminal-defense lawyer and recovering addict. Neve Campbell as Maggie McPherson, Mickey's first ex-wife and a criminal prosecutor. Becki Newton as Lorna Crane, Mickey's second ex-wife and his legal aide, and later an associate at his law firm. Jazz Raycole as Izzy Letts, a former addict and client of Mickey, whom he hires as his personal driver. She later becomes the firm's office manager. Angus Sampson as Dennis "Cisco" Wojciechowski, Mickey's friend and go-to investigator, and Lorna's boyfriend, then husband. Yaya DaCosta as Andrea "Andy" Freemann, a formidable criminal prosecutor in Trammell's case. She later becomes Mickey's lover (season 3; recurring season 2). Cobie Smulders as Artemisia "Emi" Finch, Mickey's half-sister whom Mickey had no knowledge of (season 5; guest season 4).
Recurring Introduced in season 1 Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Detective Raymond Griggs (replacing Harry Bosch from the novels), a detective investigating Jerry Vincent's murder case (seasons 1–2) Christopher Gorham as Trevor Elliott, a billionaire video game developer suspected of a double murder (season 1) LisaGay Hamilton as Judge Mary Holder, the Chief Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court (season 1) Jamie McShane as Detective Lee Lankford, a detective investigating Angelo Soto with Maggie (season 1) Reggie Lee as Angelo Soto, a business owner suspected of using slave labor, being prosecuted by Maggie (season 1) Carlos Bernard as Robert Cardone, a District Attorney running for re-election (season 1) Kim Hawthorne as Janelle Simmons, also running for District Attorney (season 1) Michael Graziadei as Jeff Golantz, a Deputy District Attorney and prosecutor in the Trevor Elliott trial (season 1) Krista Warner as Hayley Haller, Mickey and Maggie's daughter Lamont Thompson as Judge James P. Stanton, the judge presiding over the Trevor Elliott trial (season 1) Saul Huezo as Jésus Menendez, an old client of Mickey's, whom Mickey encouraged to plead guilty despite believing he was innocent (seasons 1–2) Katrina Rosita as Tanya Cruz, Soto's girlfriend (season 1) Heather Mazur as Carol Dubois, an insurance agent who had an affair with Jan Rilz (season 1) Mikal Vega as Eli Wyms, a former marine and client of Jerry Vincent (season 1) Mike McColl as Glenn McSweeney, Juror Number Seven in the Trevor Elliott trial (season 1) Chris Browning as Teddy Vogel, leader of the Road Saints Motorcycle Club (seasons 1–2) Shwayze as Terrell Coleman, a client of Mickey's who also seeks his help for his teenage daughter's arrest (seasons 1–2) Fiona Rene as Gloria "Glory Days" Dayton, a prostitute and the key witness for Jésus Menendez's case (seasons 1-3) Christopher Thornton as Sam Scales, a con man who owes Mickey money because of his repeated arrests (seasons 1-4) Marlene Forte as Judge Teresa Medina, the judge presiding over the cases of Kymberly Wagstaff, Eli Wyms, and Lisa Trammell (seasons 1–2) Elliott Gould as David "Legal" Siegel, Mickey's mentor and his father's former legal partner (seasons 1-4) Paul Urcioli as Jerry Vincent, a lawyer whose practice Mickey inherits (seasons 1, 3) Anna Khaja as Dr. Miriam Arslanian, a forensic scientist often called upon for expert witness testimony by Mickey (seasons 1-2, 4) Christine Horn as Joanne Giorgetti, a deputy district attorney prosecuting Eli Wyms, also Hayley's soccer coach (season 1) Jeff Francisco as Alvin Aquino, a gangster on parole affiliated with Angelo Soto (season 1)
Introduced in season 2 David Clayton Rogers as Russell Lawson, a bankruptcy consultant and new client of Mickey (season 2) Lana Parrilla as Lisa Trammell, a chef accused of murdering a real estate developer (seasons 2, 4) Clint Carmichael as Mitchell Bondurant, a real estate developer (season 2) Matt Angel as Henry Dahl, a true crime podcaster covering Trammell's case (season 2) Michael Goorjian as Alex Gazarian / Alex Grant, a contractor affiliated with the Armenian mob (seasons 2, 4) Hemky Madera as Agent Felix Vasquez, an FBI agent (seasons 2, 4) Darien Sills-Evans as Detective Howard O'Brien, a detective investigating Lisa Trammell (season 2) Angélica María as Elena Haller, Mickey's mother, an actress (seasons 2, 4) Adam J. Harrington as Jeff Trammell, Lisa Trammell's ex-husband (season 2) Ryan W. Garcia as René Morales, an employee of Lisa Trammell (season 2) Douglas Bennett as Pete "Kaz" Kazinski, a member of the Road Saints Motorcycle Club (season 2) Devon Graye as Julian La Cosse, a pimp and Mickey's client (seasons 2–3)
Introduced in season 3 Allyn Moriyon as Eddie Rojas, Hayley's former babysitter and Mickey's new driver after being accused of carjacking (season 3) Holt McCallany as Neil Bishop, a former detective turned DA investigator in Julian La Cosse's case (season 3) John Pirruccello as Bill Forsythe, a deputy district attorney and prosecutor in the Julian La Cosse trial (season 3) Wole Parks as David Henry Lyons, Julian La Cosse's romantic partner (season 3) Merrin Dungey as Judge Regina Turner, the judge presiding over Julian La Cosse's case (season 3) Philip Anthony-Rodriguez as Adam Suarez, Andrea Freemann's superior at the District Attorney’s office, later the new District Attorney (seasons 3-4) Angie Campbell as Jessica Westfeldt, an intern at Mickey's practice (seasons 3-4) Michael Irby as Agent James DeMarco, a DEA agent (season 3) Chelsea M. Davis as Vanessa Blake, Andrea Freemann's subordinate at the District Attorney’s office (season 3) Lombardo Boyar as Frank Valenzuela, a bail bondsman acquainted with Mickey (seasons 3-4) Paul Ben-Victor as Sylvester "Sly" Funaro Sr., a disbarred lawyer in prison for tax evasion (season 3) Christian Antidormi as Sylvester "Sly" Funaro Jr., a rookie lawyer (season 3) Paul Schulze as Detective Mark Whitten, a detective investigating Julian La Cosse's case (season 3) Tania Raymonde as Trina "Trixxx" Rafferty, a prostitute affiliated with Gloria Dayton (season 3) Gabriel Hogan as Officer Roy Collins, an LAPD patrol officer (seasons 3-4) Wilder Yari as Cat Rogers, a friend of Izzy (season 3)
Introduced in season 4 Constance Zimmer as Dana Berg, a deputy district attorney prosecuting Mickey (season 4) Scott Lawrence as Judge Lionel Stone, the judge presiding over Mickey Haller's case (season 4) Kyle Richards as Celeste Baker, a new client of Lorna (season 4) Jason Butler Harner as Detective Kent Drucker, who is investigating the murder of Sam Scales (season 4) Jason O'Mara as Jack Gilroy, an orthopedic surgeon for sports teams and Maggie's new boyfriend (season 4) Marcus Henderson as Yannick Bamba, a member of the Crips who guards Mickey in jail and becomes his new driver after being released (season 4) Gigi Zumbado as Grace, a forensic video analyst who dates Izzy (season 4) Sasha Alexander as FBI Agent Dawn Ruth, Vasquez' partner (season 4) Emmanuelle Chriqui as Jeanine Ferrigno, Alex Gazarian's girlfriend and business partner (season 4) Javon Johnson as Carter Gates, a new client of Lorna accused of murder (season 4) Eddie Yu as Deputy Bennett, a sheriff's deputy assigned to guard Mickey during his trial (season 4)
Episodes
Season 1 (2022)
Season 2 (2023)
Season 3 (2024)
Season 4 (2026)
Production Development In 2018, David E. Kelley wrote a spec script for a television series set up at Epix by A&E Studios. When the script failed to move forward, he decided to work on a different project with A&E, ultimately adapting The Lincoln Lawyer after sharing his interests in working on legal dramas. In June 2019, the project was given a series production commitment by CBS. In February 2020, Ted Humphrey came aboard as showrunner and Kiele Sanchez joined the cast as Lorna, with Angus Sampson and Jazz Raycole joining a few weeks later as Cisco and Izzy, respectively. In May 2020, it was reported that the series would not be going forward at CBS due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.