Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s The Lincoln Lawyer outshines Suits with gritty realism, making the courtroom feel raw, personal, and street-smart cool.
Legal dramas often walk a fine line between being gripping and downright over-the-top, and while Suits had its charm (and plenty of swagger), The Lincoln Lawyer came in hot with something Suits just couldn’t quite match—raw, street-smart realism. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s take on Mickey Haller didn’t rely on designer suits or lofty office drama.
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer | Credits: A+E Studios
Nope, he operated straight out of the back seat of his Lincoln, taking the phrase on the go to a whole new level. The series delivered courtroom showdowns with a grittier edge, balancing the flash with some serious depth. Sure, Suits had the banter, but The Lincoln Lawyer made the law feel like it wasn’t just polished—it was personal.
How The Lincoln Lawyer Outdrives Suits as the Legal Drama MVP
Gabriel Macht and Patrick J Adams in Suits as Harvey and Mike | Credits: Universal Content Productions
In the world of courtroom dramas, The Lincoln Lawyer has carved out its own lane—and it’s not just because of Mickey Haller’s mobile office. While Suits dazzled viewers with high-rise deals and slick dialogue, Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer franchise keeps it grounded, pulling directly from real-life legal grind.
Connelly’s Haller, played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in the Netflix series, didn’t just spring from the author’s imagination. The character was inspired by two real attorneys: David Ogden and Dan Daly. Ogden, a Los Angeles lawyer who hired a driver to juggle his hectic courthouse schedule, sparked the idea of Haller’s backseat legal operation. Daly, a Florida defense attorney and longtime friend of Connelly, fueled Haller’s gritty, war-story ethos. Daly recalled,
When Mike [Connelly] moved to Tampa around 2001, I think, I routinely invited him to join my partner, Roger Mills, and I for cocktails after work…Roger and I and other lawyers who joined us would tell war stories about cases we handled because that’s what lawyers do when they get together. Mike paid attention and took notes on napkins.
The authenticity paid off. Haller isn’t just a lawyer; he’s a hustler with a Lincoln, taking calls and reviewing case tapes while on the road. Daly confirmed,
There is nothing at all absurd about working out of the back of a car.
I took cases in Fort Myers years ago. Although I drove myself, I listened to audio tapes of statements and recorded events, such as drug deals. I also made phone calls that I needed to make. There was very little time that wasn’t billed while I was driving.
From the books to the 2011 Matthew McConaughey movie to the Netflix hit, The Lincoln Lawyer thrives on real-world roots. While Suits served corporate drama, The Lincoln Lawyer brought legal life to the streets—and to our screens. That’s storytelling you can bill by the hour.
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s Forgotten Thriller Mary Now airing on Prime Video with Twists, Terror, and a Sinister Ending
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in a still from The Lincoln Lawyer | Credits: A+E Studios
Before Manuel Garcia-Rulfo owned the courtroom in The Lincoln Lawyer, he dabbled in a little nautical nightmare. But one thriller might have slipped under your radar—Mary (2018), now streaming on Prime Video.
Garcia-Rulfo teams up with legends Gary Oldman and Emily Mortimer for this wild ride. Oldman’s character, David, buys a sketchy, abandoned boat (bad idea alert) to start a fishing biz with Mike (yep, that’s Garcia-Rulfo). But once the family sets sail, things go from family bonding to full-blown chaos.
This under-the-radar thriller from RLJE Films delivers all the chills and twists. Prime users are giving it 4 out of 5 stars, so if you’re craving some spooky vibes with a side of Garcia-Rulfo greatness, Mary is calling your name.
Watch The Lincoln Lawyer and Suits on Amazon Prime & Apple TV.
