The fascination with legal dramas and lawyer shows is a worldwide obsession, one that has only continued to grow in popularity as TV audiences have shifted to streaming services like Netflix. Series like Law & Order and its many spin-offs, as well as hit comedies like Ally McBeal and Boston Legal, have humanized the public servants who work in the legal system. Whether it’s a murder trial, a sexual assault case, or attempting to take down a mob boss, the dramatic suspense inside a courtroom is just plain undeniable.

Because lawyer shows are such guaranteed crowd-pleasers, there are a plethora of them in various genres across all kinds of networks. Streaming has been a revolutionary medium in how much it’s changed the way people watch TV, so there’s no surprise that Netflix is the king of digital entertainment, including shows about lawyers. Providing not only the classic legal dramas people know and love, but also high-quality original series, the best lawyer shows on Netflix will scratch the itch of die-hard fans.

15Juvenile Justice (2022)

A K-Drama About A Juvenile Court Judge

CastKim Hye-soo , Kim Moo-yul , Lee Sung-min , Lee Jung-eun , Lee Sang-hee , Park Ji-yeon , Shin Jae-hwi , Geum Gwang-san , Park Jong-hwan , Kim Young-ah , Shim Dal-gi , Keisuke Hoashi , Kim Ju-hun , Yoo Jae-myung , Song Duk-ho , Lee Yeon , Hwang Hyun-jung , Park Ok-chul , Hyun Bong-sik
Character(s)Sim Eun-seok , Cha Tae-ju , Kang Won-jung , Na Geun-hee , Joo Yeong-sil , Woo Su-mi , Seo Beom , Gyeong Jung-han , Ko Gang-sik , Heo Chan-mi , Seo Yu-ri , ER Doctor / School District Court Judge / Legal Advisor , Namgung I-hwan , Eom Jun-gi , Kwak Do-seok , Baek Seong-u , Han Ye-eun , Baek Seong-u’s mother , Seo Won-sik

In this Korean legal drama, Shim Eun-seok is a judge of a juvenile court in Yeonhwa. She is tasked with overseeing the cases of young criminal offenders — a job that she struggles with because of her personal dislike of juveniles. Eun-seok’s feelings are understandable, however, because her own child was killed by a teenager. Though Eun-seok takes a harsh approach in doling out justice to young people, her associate, Cha Tae-joo, holds a different view, believing that juveniles can be reformed if given a second chance.

Though it only had one season, Juvenile Justice is a compelling drama that explores a branch of the legal sector not normally explored in lawyer shows. Each episode deals with the harsh realities of young people, including abuse, poverty, and abandonment. The series touches on the theme of young people being shaped by their environment, and the obligation of their community to take responsibility.

14The Trial (2019)

Lawyer Elena Discovers Her Shocking Connection To A Murdered Teenage Girl

In Netflix’s The Trial, Italian prosecutor Elena Guerra hopes to mend her troubled marriage by going with her husband to New York, where he has accepted a job. Things take a turn when a teenage girl, Angelica Petroni, is found murdered, and Elena decides to take the case. As details of the girl’s killing are revealed, Elena discovers a shocking truth — that she is Angelica’s birth mother, and Angelica was the child she gave up for adoption years ago. With her personal life and career at stake, Elena vows to find Angelica’s killer and bring them to justice.

The show’s setting in Mantua, Italy enhances its moody atmosphere.

Directed by Stephano Lodovichi, The Trial is an emotional mystery drama with stellar acting performances and a twisting narrative which culminates in an explosive conclusion. The show’s setting in Mantua, Italy enhances its moody atmosphere, and the on-screen chemistry between Vittoria Puccini as Elena and Frencesco Scianna as defense attorney Ruggero Barone is intense.

13Law School (2021)

A Professor Is Accused Of Murder & It’s Up To His Law Students To Prove His Innocence

Law School is a South Korean television series that follows the turbulent lives of students and professors at a prestigious law school. Featuring Kim Myung-min as Yang Jong-hoon, a stern professor, and Kim Bum as Han Joon-hwi, a top student, the series delves into their entanglements with a murder case and the subsequent quest for justice. The show combines elements of legal drama and mystery within an academic setting.

CastKim Myung-min- , Kim Bum , Ryu Hye-young , Lee Jeong-eun , Lee Da-wit , Lee Soo-kyung , Go Yoon-jung , Hyun Woo
Release DateApril 14, 2021
Seasons1
Main GenreDrama

At Hankuk University in South Korea, a group of law students study under Professor Yang Jong-hoon, a former prosecutor with a strict teaching style. Yang’s classroom consists of first-year students Kang Sol A, a young woman who barely made it into Hankuk; Han Joon-hwi, a star pupil whose uncle is also a law professor at the university; Seo Ji-ho, an intelligent young man who is driven by the murder of his father; and Jeon Ye-seul, a woman dating the son of a respected member of the Korean assembly.

The academic lives of the students are upended when a member of the faculty is murdered, and Professor Yang is arrested as the number one suspect. Together, the students take what they’ve learned in their studies and apply it to proving Yang’s innocence.Law School is a riveting series that is part courtroom drama, part murder mystery, and all engrossing entertainment.

12Hyena (2020)

A Lighter Legal Drama About Enemies-To-Lovers Rival Attorneys

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CastKim Hye-soo , Ju Ji-Hoon , Lee Kyung-young , Kim Ho-jung , Song Young-gyu , Hwang Bo-ra , Jun Suk-ho , Hyun Bong-sik , Park Se-jin , Jeong Ji-hwan , Oh Gyeong-hwa , Han Jun-woo , Park Jin-young , Oh Chae-eun
Character(s)Jung Geum-ja , Yoon Hee-Jae , Song Pil-jung , Kim Min-joo , Ma Seok-koo , Sim Yoo-mi , Ga Gi-hyeok , Kim Chang-wook , Boo Hyun-ah , Na Yi-joon , Lee Ji-eun , Kim Yeong-jun , Hospital VIP Ward Receptionist , D&T Group secretary
Release DateFebruary 21, 2020

Fans of the enemies-to-lovers romance trope definitely don’t want to miss out on the courtroom K-drama, Hyena. Yoon Hee-jae is a clean-cut, confident, and capable lawyer working for Song & Kim, an elite law agency that only represents clients in the top 1%. Hee-jae meets his match in Jung Geum-ja, a cutthroat attorney who uses feral tactics to attack the competition. While Hee-jae has high hopes of earning status and respect, all Geum-ja cares about is cold hard cash. The two face off against one another in rival cases, but outside of the courtroom is a different story.

Hyena is a welcome break from some of the heavier courtroom dramas that many viewers have seen before.

Hyena is a welcome break from some of the heavier courtroom dramas that many viewers have seen before. Fans won’t find hard-hitting murder cases with passionate pleas for justice here — only two competitors who are constantly and hilariously at odds with one another. With light-hearted rom-com elements, Hyena is a fun series with lead characters that K-drama fans can really root for.

11Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

Sienna Miller Is The Wife Of An MP Who’s Keeping Dark Secrets

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CastSienna Miller , Naomi Scott , Geoffrey Streatfeild , Michelle Dockery , Joshua McGuire , Rupert Friend , Josette Simon
Release DateApril 15, 2022
Seasons1

Famed for his many acclaimed legal TV dramas, David E. Kelley brought the celebrated novel by Sarah Vaughn to life in the Netflix mini-series, Anatomy of a Scandal. Sienna Miller stars as Sophie Whitehouse, the wife of Tory MP James Whitehouse. After James confesses to Sophie that he had an affair with his aide, Olivia, the scandal breaks to the public. Just when things seem to be well in hand and the MP’s reputation only mildly tarnished, James is arrested on charges of rape. As the trial follows, Sophie struggles with the realization that her husband is keeping dark secrets.

The highlight of Anatomy of a Scandal is its excellent cast, with Miller’s performance as Sophie and Michelle Dockery’s as prosecutor Kate Woodcroft being particularly impressive. The series combines courtroom drama and mystery thriller, making it a must-see Netflix original that will leave viewers more than satisfied.

10Your Honor (2020-2023)

Bryan Cranston Plays A Lawyer Caught Between Both Sides Of The Law

Your Honor is a legal drama series starring Bryan Cranston as a respected judge whose son becomes involved in a hit-and-run accident. The incident sets off a dangerous chain of events that forces the judge to confront his own principles and navigate the moral complexities of the law. The series explores themes of justice, loyalty, and ethics, offering a compelling narrative of a father’s desperate attempts to protect his son.

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CastBryan Cranston , Hope Davis , Michael Stuhlbarg , Lilli Kay , Isiah Whitlock Jr. , Benjamin Flores Jr. , Keith Machekanyanga , Jimi Stanton
Release DateDecember 6, 2020
Seasons2

Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston finds himself on the right side of the law this time in the legal drama series, Your Honor. Or at least it starts out that way. Cranston plays Michael Desiato, a respected New Orleans judge with a teenage son, Adam. When Adam confesses to his father that he committed a hit-and-run, Michael insists that Adam turn himself in. He changes his mind, however, when he learns that Adam’s victim was the son of a dangerous crime boss. Going against his better judgment, Michael does everything he can to keep his son’s secret.

Your Honor’s suspenseful plot and Cranston’s performance make the show a thrilling drama that is almost impossible to stop watching. Although it was only intended to be a limited series, Your Honor gained enough praise to be renewed for a second season on Showtime. While Your Honor season 3 never happened, there’s plenty of gripping drama within the show’s 20 episodes.

9The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023)

A Compelling Legal Drama About Italy’s First Female Lawyer

Inspired by the true story of the first female lawyer in Italy, The Law According to Lidia Poët is an intriguing Italian period drama that mixes history and fiction. Set in 1883 Turin, Italy, Lidia Poët is disbarred from the legal registry board when she tries to enroll as a lawyer during a time when women were forbidden from practicing law. While waiting for an appeal, Lidia assists in her brother Enrico’s law firm, taking on challenging cases and solving murder mysteries. She is aided by a journalist, Jacapo Barberis, and her love interest, Andrea.

With season 1 having a current score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Law According to Lidia Poët is a huge hit. Besides the gorgeous period costumes, Matilda de Angelis is excellent as the underdog Lidia. Lidia’s resolve and wit in a patriarchal society that continually works against her make her a formidable protagonist whom audiences can really root for. A third season is set to release on Netflix in 2025.

8Quicksand (2019)

Netflix’s First Swedish-Language Show Is A Riveting Drama About A School Shooting

In the aftermath of a tragic incident at a school in a wealthy Stockholm suburb, a seemingly well-adjusted teenager is put on trial for murder. The series examines the complexities of her character and unravels the events and relationships leading up to the shocking crime.

The Swedish crime thriller Quicksand is a suspenseful tale based on the acclaimed novel by Malin Persson Giolito. The mini-series follows the story of Maja Norberg, an 18-year-old high school student who is arrested and put on trial after a school shooting leaves her boyfriend and other students dead. In a series of flashbacks, Maja recalls what led to the tragic events — from meeting her boyfriend, Sebastian, to his struggles with drug addiction and abuse. Maja’s trial in the present is interspersed with scenes of the past, eventually leading to a dark truth that reveals what really happened that day.

Quicksand is not only the first Swedish-language show to stream on Netflix, it’s also one of the best legal dramas on the streaming service.

Quicksand is not only the first Swedish-language show to stream on Netflix, it’s also one of the best legal dramas on the streaming service. Viewers will be immediately sucked into the psychological intrigue as they follow Maja’s story, eager to know what secrets the young woman is hiding. The real mystery of the show isn’t about whether or not Maja is guilty, but the reason behind her actions. For those who love a moody and gripping mystery, Quicksand is right up their alley.

7Unbelievable (2019)

A Disturbing True Story About A Rape Victim Who Isn’t Believed

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CastMike Merritt , Toni Collette , Kaitlyn Dever , Danielle Macdonald , Dale Dickey , Liza Lapira
Release DateSeptember 13, 2019
DirectorsMichael Dinner

Unbelievable is based on a disturbing true story, as it follows detectives on the trail of a serial rapist who terrorized young women from 2008 to 2011. In the town of Lynnwood, Washington, teenager Marie Adler reports her rape to two police officers. When Marie’s former foster mother reveals the young woman’s troubled past, the police drop Marie’s case, believing it to be false. The story fast-forwards three years later, when two Colorado detectives find a connection between their unsolved rape cases.

With fantastic performances from Toni Collette, Merritt Weaver, and Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable takes on the hard truths about sexual assault and an ugly history of female victims not being believed. Though it’s at times difficult to watch because of the subject matter, the crime drama holds up a mirror to American society and challenges it to take responsibility while learning from past mistakes.

6Legal High (2019)

Two Polar Opposite Lawyers Team Up In This Hilarious Legal K-Drama

Adapted from the Japanese TV series, K-drama Legal High is a wild ride with hilarious hijinks and a sweet romantic subplot. Fresh-faced defense lawyer Seo Jae-in innocently believes in the virtues of truth and justice — which might be why she has never won a case. On the advice of a colleague, she seeks out an attorney who has a 100% success rate. Unfortunately, Go Tae-rim stands for all the things that Jae-in despises: greed, notoriety, and a complete lack of morals. The odd couple team up and become a surprisingly unstoppable force, earning one another’s respect along the way.

Legal High is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud riot that evolves into a thoughtful drama. With excellent performances from Jin Goo as the over-the-top Tae-rim and Seo Eun-su as the sweet Jae-in, fans of light and fun K-dramas will love this version of the popular series.

5Diary of a Prosecutor (2019-2020)

A K-Drama About Two Former Schoolmates Working Together As Lawyers

Release DateDecember 16, 2019
Main GenreDrama
CastLee Sun-kyun , Jung Ryeo-won , Lee Sung-jae , Kim Kwang-kyu , Jeon Seong-woo , Lee Sang-hee , Baek Hyun-joo , Yeseo , Ahn Eun-jin , Ahn Chang-hwan , Jeong Jae-seong , Kim Yong-hee , Cha Soon-bae
Character(s)Lee Sun-Woong , Cha Myung-Joo , Jo Min-Ho , Hong Jong-Hak , Kim Jung-Woo , Oh Yoon-Jin , Jang Man-Ok , Yang Eun-Jeong , Sung Mi-ran , Lee Jung-Hwan , Kim In-Joo , Nam Byung-Joon , Lawyer Choi Tae-Joong
Creator(s)Park Yeon-seon
Seasons1

Think Grey’s Anatomy as a legal drama set in Korea and you’ve got Diary of a Prosecutor, a compelling series that looks at the lives of prosecutors and their personal and professional journeys. The story begins from the perspective of Lee Sun-woong, a lawyer who comes from wealth and privilege yet maintains his sympathy for others. His associate and head of their office, Jo Min-ho, decides to recruit a new prosecutor to their team: Cha Myung-joo. It just so happens that Myung-joo is Sun-woong’s former schoolmate, though she has very different ideas about how to tackle cases.

Diary of a Prosecutor is a refreshing legal drama that focuses mainly on the thought-provoking characters and their personal lives rather than the legal cases they work on. Often heart-warming and sometimes tragic, viewers of the show will fall in love with each of the characters individually, as the series does a fantastic job of focusing on all of them equally.

4The Lincoln Lawyer (2022-Present)

A Slick Legal Drama About A Defense Attorney Who Works Out Of His Car

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The Lincoln Lawyer: This legal drama follows Mickey Haller, a Los Angeles defense attorney known for operating from his Lincoln Town Car, as he revives his career after an accident by taking on a high-profile murder case. The series explores challenges within the justice system and Haller’s pursuit of truth.

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CastManuel Garcia-Rulfo , Becki Newton , Angus Sampson , Jazz Raycole , Neve Campbell , Krista Warner , Lana Parrilla , Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine , Yaya DaCosta , Marlene Forte , Chris Browning , Matt Angel , Elliott Gould , Katrina Rosita , LisaGay Hamilton , Heather Mazur , Reggie Lee , Shenita Moore , Kim Hawthorne , Mikal Vega , Mike McColl , Saul Huezo , Ryan W. Garcia , La’Charles Trask , Christine Horn , Shwayze , Jeff Francisco , David Clayton Rogers , Fiona Rene , Douglas Bennett , Clint Carmichael , Darien Sills-Evans , Adam J. Harrington
Release DateMay 13, 2022
Seasons3

Based on the best-selling book series by Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer is one of Netflix’s biggest hits in recent years. Down-on-his-luck defense attorney Mickey Haller finds his fortune turned around when he inherits a law firm from an old friend who was mysteriously murdered. Juggling his personal and professional life, Mickey often seeks aid from his loyal support team: his two ex-wives, Maggie and Lorna, Lorna’s fiancé Cisco, and Mickey’s chauffeur, Izzy, who drives Mickey everywhere in his Lincoln town car where he conducts most of his business.

Filled with action, drama, and a healthy dose of comedy, The Lincoln Lawyer excels at being thrilling entertainment while staying true to its original source material. The series has an impressive 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, likely thanks to lead actor Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s convincing portrayal of Mickey, as well as The Lincoln Lawyer‘s great supporting cast that includes Neve Campbell, Elliot Gould, and Jazz Raycole.

3Suits (2011-2019)

The Buzziest Legal Drama To Hit Netflix

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Suits follows Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), who, despite never attending law school, is able to use his photographic memory to become a lawyer. The legal drama ran from 2011 to 2019 for a total of nine seasons and also starred Gabriel Macht, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty, and Rick Hoffman.

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CastPatrick J. Adams , Sarah Rafferty , Gabriel Macht , Meghan Markle , Rick Hoffman , Gina Torres , Amanda Schull , Dulé Hill , Katherine Heigl
Release DateJune 23, 2011
Seasons9

Created by Aaron Korsh, Suits was a long-running hit for cable channel USA until the show’s finale in 2019. Thankfully, Netflix has all nine seasons available to stream. The legal dramedy stars Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross, a genius with a photographic memory who cons his way into working for a prestigious L.A. law firm despite not having a law degree. Co-star Gabriel Macht plays Harvey Specter, the firm’s slick senior partner who hires Mike and helps to keep his secret from the rest of their co-workers.

Beloved by critics and audiences alike, Suits is an entertaining legal series that is highly bingeable and incredibly addicting. While many credit Megan Markle’s starring role as the reason why Suits became so successful on Netflix, the Rachel Zane actress is just one reason to watch this fast-paced, witty show. During its run, Suits was nominated for several awards, including the TV Guide’s Favorite Drama Series, People’s Choice’s Favorite Dramedy, and a SAG nomination for Adams in Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Drama Series.

2When They See Us (2019)

Ava DuVernay’s Limited Series About The Exonerated 5

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Created by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us is a True Crime miniseries that was released on Netflix in 2019. The plot follows five separate individuals that were charged with the assault of female victim in Central Park.

Release DateMay 31, 2019
Seasons1

Directed and co-written by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us is a hard-hitting crime drama based on true events. In 1989, five male minors of color were falsely accused and tried for the sexual assault of a female jogger in Central Park. All of them were convicted on various charges, despite the lack of concrete evidence. Thirteen years later, new evidence arose that exonerated the boys and they were set free.

Dealing with complex issues of racism, When They See Us is an emotional punch-in-the-gut that everyone, not just courtroom drama fans, should watch. The performances of the cast, especially the young actors who portrayed the Central Park Five, are supremely acted with maturity and levity. Everyone involved in the mini-series understood the need for realism, and it only added to the high quality of the project. When They See Us earned 10 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and one Primetime Emmy win for Jharrel Jerome, who earned Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie.

1Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

Better Call Saul follows small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the legal world to make ends meet. The series, set six years before his encounter with Walter White, chronicles Jimmy’s evolution into Saul Goodman, with notable interactions alongside fixer Mike Ehrmantraut.

Release DateFebruary 8, 2015
Seasons6

Being a fan favorite Breaking Bad character, it really isn’t that surprising that Saul Goodman was given his own spin-off. Set primarily before the events of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul shows how Jimmy McGill became the slick attorney we all know and love. Before attending law school, Jimmy was a con man in his hometown of Chicago. While working in a mailroom at his brother’s law firm, Jimmy decides to go straight and become a lawyer. Naturally, the cutthroat legal world isn’t what Jimmy had hoped for, and his descent to Saul Goodman is a slippery slope.

Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul excels at masterful storytelling and character development. Creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould took a character who was initially meant to be used for comic relief and delved into his tragic backstory in a way that made audiences love him even more. The creators also helped to flesh out the connection between the two series by bringing in recurring characters from Breaking Bad. For many critics and audiences, Better Call Saul surpassed its precursor series in quality, with a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes as opposed to Breaking Bad’s 92%.