In the new Netflix TV adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer, the main character of Mickey Haller is shown at one point having an office, even though the character is known to conduct business in his car. Named The Lincoln Lawyer for a reason, Mickey (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) has a reputation as a defense attorney that works out of a Lincoln Town Car rather than an office, driven around Los Angeles by a chauffeur. Based on the books of the same name and the film version starring Matthew McConaughey, the Netflix adaptation dives deeper into storylines not previously adapted for the screen.

The Lincoln Lawyer depicts Mickey Haller as a criminal defense lawyer and a struggling former opioid addict. The first season of the series is mostly based on The Brass Verdict, the second book in the set written by Michael Connelly, which sees Mickey managing his day-to-day affairs from the back of his town car. Mickey inherits the office of Jerry Vincent within this storyline, and considers keeping it.

Unfortunately for the namesake of the series and the overall draw of the character, changing Mickey’s scenery from a town car to an office setting would dramatically change the dynamics of the show. In the books, Haller rejects this office, but he does end up leasing an office and later a loft space – something the TV adaptation has yet to broach. In the show, it seems like Mickey might keep the office as a base for Lorna (Becki Newton) and Cisco (Angus Sampson), and this move could see The Lincoln Lawyer generally move away from the focus of Haller working from his vehicle. This might set up a possible structure change for The Lincoln Lawyer season 2, but the characteristics of the show and its titular character would not be the same were this to be the case.

Netflix has yet to confirm The Lincoln Lawyer season 2, but if it does get renewed, Mickey Haller should remain in his town car. The character’s appeal to viewers is largely based upon his quirkiness and rough edges. Having Mickey being driven around in a car, always on the move and doing the necessary research needed in order to defend his clients, is what the character’s personality is all about. Without the car, Mickey would become just another courtroom drama by creator David E. Kelley, entertaining but no different than other works like The Practice or Boston Legal.

At the end of the day, the Netflix version of Mickey Haller should remain in his Lincoln Town Car for the run of the series. If anything, the producers would need to change the name of the series from The Lincoln Lawyer if he were to be an attorney strapped to a desk all day. The nuances of the character would be different, and the series could become stale in the end, despite the character making similar changes in the source material.