In a titular scene of executive producer David E. Kelley’s new series, The Lincoln Lawyer, an LAPD detective reminds defense attorney Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) “to keep his friends close and his enemies closer.” Perhaps a cliché, or classic legal drama trope here, but it proves to be indispensable advice for Haller, who seems to narrowly escape death the entire season. It’s also true to the beloved Michael Connelly novels, which bridge a number of characters together in a tangled web of who’s who. Mickey is the center of this web, though: a veritable mess of ex-wives, ex-motorcycle gang members and former clients. No need to memorize all the ways his relationships are connected, we’ve mapped it out for you.
The First Ex-Wife Neve Campbell plays Deputy District Attorney Maggie “Fierce” McPherson, Mickey’s first wife and mother of their daughter, Hayley. Although she still cares for Mickey, their opposing positions in the courtroom and Mickey’s recent stint in rehab further strains their relationship.
The Daughter Hayley Haller is Mickey and Maggie’s teenage daughter who finds herself navigating tween life while questioning the work her father does as a defense lawyer.
The Second Ex-Wife Mickey definitely likes to keep exes close by, and that extends to Lorna Shore. Played by Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton, Mickey’s second ex-wife is also his office manager, with her own legal aspirations. While he and Lorna are no longer romantically involved, Lorna’s sleuthing skills, street smarts and sharp mind help Mickey’s law practice in more ways than just organizing his caseload.
The Private Investigator Mickey brings Dennis “Cisco” Wojciechowski, Lorna’s current boyfriend, on as his practice’s private investigator. Angus Sampson plays the character with humor and warmth, and makes us wonder if Cisco ended his business with his old crew — the Road Saints Motorcycle Club — on good terms.
The Chauffeur Mickey’s nickname stems from his habit of working from the back of his Lincoln while in transit all over the city, so he needs a driver who knows the ins and outs of Los Angeles city traffic. After he successfully defends client Izzy Letts, played by Jazz Raycole, on a theft charge, she earns his trust and becomes his newest chauffeur — and confidante. The Benefactor A man walks through a darkened parking garage late at night and steps, with briefcase in hand, into his car. Seconds later, a shadowy figure aims a gun at his head and shoots him point blank. The murder of esteemed Los Angeles defense attorney Jerry Vincent sets off a chain of events that changes Mickey Haller’s life forever. Shocked to hear of his colleague’s untimely death, Mickey’s further surprised to learn Vincent named Haller as beneficiary of his defense practice, offering a chance for Mickey to rebuild his law career.
The Billionaire Client Some clients — and cases — prove to be more difficult than others, and this is true of Mickey’s newest client, Trevor Elliott, the billionaire video games mogul he inherits from Jerry Vincent’s practice. Elliott claims he walked into his mansion and found his beloved wife and her lover murdered in bed, but is that really the truth? And is Elliott’s case connected to Vincent’s murder, and the car that seems to be following Mickey Haller throughout Los Angeles?
