The Lincoln Lawyer

2011 adaptation of Michael Connelly's 2005 novel.

This film provides examples of:
"Haller: I said the hospital, not the morgue!"
 * Acquitted Too Late: Attorney Mick Haller's client Jesus Martinez spends several years in San Quentin.
 * All Bikers Are Hells Angels
 * The Alleged Car: Haller's Lincoln in the book was an up-to-date model he replaced every three years. In the movie it was a 1980's model that would be an overheating, unreliable beast under the kind of use he puts it through.
 * Amicably Divorced: Haller and his ex-wife, a prosecutor for the DA's office.
 * Also, Haller and his second ex-wife, who works as his secretary.
 * Amoral Attorney: Defense attorney Mick Haller is seen by prosecutors (including his ex-wife) as one. Haller points out that all too often, the prosecution tries to pin unsolved crimes on defendants and pull other questionable legal maneuvers..
 * The Atoner
 * Chekhov's Gun: Early in the movie, Roulet mentions that the only criminal records against him are parking tickets. It turns out
 * Curb Stomp Battle: vs. the aforementioned biker gang. It is glorious to behold.


 * Good Parents: Haller and his prosecutor ex-wife are loving parents to their daughter Hayley.
 * GPS Evidence:
 * Guile Hero: Haller excels at setting up situations in advance to benefit himself.
 * Hooker With a Heart of Gold: Gloria, who has a friendly relationship with Haller, her lawyer, and.
 * It Was a Gift: Haller's rare model of gun, which was handed down to him by his attorney father, who received it from an acquitted mobster client.
 * Mama Bear/Papa Wolf: Mrs. Windsor and Haller, respectively.
 * Meaningful Name: Haller's client has the surname Roulet, "like a roulette wheel" according to Haller's friend. Roulet's mother, a rich and overbearing woman, remarried and is now Mrs. Windsor.
 * Off On a Technicality: Some of Haller's clients.
 * Oh Crap: Minton, the prosecutor for the Roulet case, has this look when Roulet reveals his reasons for always carrying the weapon with which he was accused of assaulting the victim, thus blowing a huge hole in Minton's case.
 * Politically Incorrect Villain: An early hint to  true nature. He says "I woke up with two faggots on top of me" refusing to tone down his language for the court.
 * Serial Killer:.
 * Shame If Something Happened: makes a veiled threat to Haller about Haller's daughter Hayley.
 * Straight Gay: Frank.
 * Trailers Always Spoil: Most of the trailers make no effort to hide that, those that don't show it outright heavily imply it.
 * Vanity License Plate: Haller's plate, NTGUILTY
 * Work Off the Debt: Half of Haller's driver's wages are to pay for his fees.