LOS ANGELES, CA — The hit Netflix legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer kicks off with a tense and fatal mystery, introducing viewers to a complex web of murder, redemption, and legal drama that sets the tone for the season. In its gripping premiere, the show wastes no time laying the groundwork for what will become a deeply layered story.

🔫 A Murder in the Opening Minutes

The episode opens on an ominous note. A man in a grey suit, visibly tense, walks through a parking lot, constantly looking over his shoulder. Thinking he’s alone, he checks the backseat of his car before taking a relieved breath. But that relief is short-lived.

In a blink, a gunman appears outside the driver’s side window, firing two shots — one to the chest, one to the head — killing the man instantly. The killer then grabs the victim’s briefcase and calmly walks away, leaving the passenger door wide open. The victim, we soon learn, is defense attorney Jerry Vincent.

🏄‍♂️ Meet Mickey Haller – The Lincoln Lawyer

Cut to a quiet beach where a man lies on the sand, haunted by what seems like a traumatic memory — possibly a heart attack or overdose while surfing. That man is Mickey Haller, played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. Snapping out of his flashback, Mickey receives a phone call from his ex-wife Lorna (Becki Newton), who seems to still play an active role in his life — personally and professionally.

She questions him about a scheduled meeting with a judge and speculates it’s either business or personal. Whatever the reason, she urges him to show up as “the full Mickey Haller.” That means one thing: it’s time to bring the Lincoln back out of storage.

📞 Two Ex-Wives and One Mysterious Meeting

As Haller hits the road in his signature Lincoln, he gets a call from his first ex-wife, Maggie (Neve Campbell), a prosecutor with whom he shares a teenage daughter. Like Lorna, Maggie is unaware of why a judge wants to see him. But it’s clear both women still care about him, even if they’re no longer married.

Haller arrives at the courthouse, where Lorna is already waiting to lend support. Despite their separation, it’s obvious she still carries feelings for him. When Mickey walks into the judge’s chambers, the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place.

⚖️ A New Practice from a Dead Man

Judge Mary Holder (LisaGay Hamilton) delivers the bombshell: Jerry Vincent, the lawyer from the opening scene, was murdered the night before, and in a shocking twist, left his entire law practice to Mickey Haller. The judge is skeptical, pressing Mickey on his recent absence from court and why he would inherit such responsibility.

Mickey doesn’t shy away from the truth. After a serious accident, he developed a dependency on painkillers, which derailed his career. But he insists that Vincent left him the practice for a reason — because when Mickey is at his best, he’s one of the finest defense attorneys in Los Angeles.

With no time to waste, Judge Holder gives Haller a choice: step in, win over the clients, and rebuild his reputation — or walk away.

🚘 The Return of The Lincoln Lawyer

As the episode closes, Haller begins reentering the world he left behind — filled with legal complexities, dangerous clients, and unresolved trauma. But now, with Jerry Vincent’s case files in his hands and a second chance at redemption, Mickey Haller is back in motion — literally and figuratively — cruising the streets of L.A. in his Lincoln.

Final Verdict:
Episode 1 of The Lincoln Lawyer delivers a fast-paced, emotionally grounded start, seamlessly blending crime mystery with character-driven storytelling. Mickey Haller is flawed but charismatic, and his road to redemption promises to be as dangerous as it is compelling.

Stay tuned — the courtroom drama is just getting started.