The Lincoln Lawyer centers around defense attorney Mickey Haller, who is willing to cross plenty of ethical lines in his pursuit of justice, though he has one he won’t cross.
Mickey’s father, who dies early on, is portrayed as unethical and disrespectful, having relationships with his own clients and mixing personal and professional affairs.

In season 2, Mickey becomes involved with a client he sleeps with, blurring ethical boundaries, and defends her despite his bias, ultimately discovering she is guilty of a crime.

Starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in the title role, The Lincoln Lawyer centers on unconventional hotshot defense attorney Mickey Haller, who has one ethical line he won’t cross. Of course, the Los Angeles-based legal whiz is willing to cross plenty of other lines. Not to mention that both in the Netflix series and writer Michael Connelly’s source material, Mickey Haller also breaks his fair share of norms. As the series’ title suggests, Haller conducts business on the go from his chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator — although The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 does see Mickey stop working out of his car for a time. Still, he’s not a typical attorney.

The incredibly popular show gains much of its charm from the criminal-defense attorney at its center. Even so, Mickey Haller makes plenty of questionable choices. In Lincoln Lawyer season 1, Mickey’s daughter, Hayley (Krista Warner), asks him if there’s any line he won’t cross. In Mickey Haller’s world of “innocent until proven guilty,” he’ll represent almost anyone — except people who hurt kids. Outside of that, Mickey has one unbreakable rule for his clients. However, a Lincoln Lawyer season 2 plot line puts that supposedly hard-line ethical stance in jeopardy.

The Lincoln Lawyer Implies Mickey’s Father Cheated On Elena With Clients

In Michael Connelly’s novel The Brass Verdict, Mickey’s father dies early on, leading the young protagonist to derive his legal expertise from books. The Lincoln Lawyer changes this detail for the better. While Mickey’s father still dies, the series’ protagonist is older when tragedy strikes, allowing for the father-son duo to establish more of a bond. Still, Mickey Haller, Sr. (Jon Tenney) isn’t a shining example when it comes to ethics.

The series implies that Mickey’s father cheated on his mother, Elena (Angélica María and Ilean Almaguer) with his own clients. Not only does Mickey’s father disrespect Elena, but he also mixes his personal and professional affairs. This speaks to Mickey Haller, Sr.’s character — or lack thereof — as well as his utter deficit of discretion. In having relationships with his clients, Mickey’s father puts his courtroom credibility on the line. Certainly, Mickey himself is unafraid of operating in gray areas (or on the road), but he does establish certain boundaries with his clients — for the most part.

Mickey Doesn’t Break His Rule With Lisa (But It’s Still Wildly Unethical)

In The Lincoln Lawyer season 2, Mickey doesn’t technically break his rule with chef and restaurant owner Lisa Trammell (Lana Parrilla), but, ethically speaking, he crosses the line. After Mickey sleeps with Lisa, she becomes his client when a real estate developer keen on gentrifying the restaurant’s neighborhood is murdered, and she is the prime suspect. In fact, Mickey remains unsure of Lisa’s involvement. After the jury’s verdict renders Lisa “not guilty,” she fires Mickey, allowing them to resume their personal relationship. Of course, it’s not that simple: The Lincoln Lawyer‘s Lisa’s fate has a crucial twist.

Even if Mickey doesn’t continue his physical relationship with Lisa until after her trial, he’s clearly biased. Although he can’t quite decide if she’s guilty or not, he’s involved enough with her to defend her position and win the case. “Just because you’re not guilty of something doesn’t mean you’re innocent of everything,” Mickey tells Lisa. Like clockwork, Mickey realizes that Lisa killed her ex-husband; clearly, he needs to heed his own advice. So, while Mickey Haller doesn’t break his rule with Lisa, he definitely crosses what should be a stark ethical line in The Lincoln Lawyer season 2.