Saturday, April 13, 2013

L is for Lawyer

Lawyers. Often mocked as the most hated professionals after IRS agents, lawyers are nonetheless an important cog in our justice system. And while yes, there are many corrupt lawyers throughout literature and film, I've decided (in deference to my many attorney friends) to focus this blog post on the shining examples of this historic profession. Instrument of truth and upholders of justice, here are a few of my favorite fictional lawyers . . .

L is for Lawyer

Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) – He's a shining example of intelligence and morality. He's the only person on Maycomb that challenges the status quo, willing to sacrifice his social standing and respect for the sake of justice. 

Vincent Gambini (My Cousin Vinny) – Protagonist in one of the funniest movies ever made, Vinny Gambini is far from the morally upstanding Atticus Finch as you can get. He's sarcastic and sly, and doesn't seem to understand the rules of the justice system. Still, he's determined to help his  innocent cousin out of a sticky situation, and ultimately becomes a top-notch lawyer. 

Willy Beachum (Fracture) – Willy Beachum is the epitome of the slick, ladder-climbing lawyer. Ready to ditch his job in the District Attorney's Office for a high paying corporate job, he seems destined for riches. However, when a mistake leads to an innocent woman's death and a xxx to go free, Willy starts to understand just what the meaning of justice is, and can't rest until he get is.

Lt. Daniel Kaffee (A Few Good Men) – One of the most famous lawyers ever to grace the big screen, Daniel Kaffee is an inexperienced attorney with the US Navy. Known for arrange plea bargains, Kaffee is used to looking for the easy way out. However, when a new case tests his limits he learns just what an amazing lawyer he can be. They can't handle Daniel Kafee!

Harvey Specter (Suits) – He's sleek, he owns an endless supply of expensive suits, and he's a shark int he courtroom. In short, Harvey Specter is the best "closer" in New York City. But despite that, he's scrupulously honest, and will go to great lengths to do the right thing. And underneath his slick exterior  Harvey has a heart of gold, even if he doesn't want anyone to know it. 

And last but not least, a few Honorable Mentions:

> Jake Tyler Brigance (A Time to Kill)
> Henry Drummond (Inherit the Wind
> Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer)

And there you have it, my Top 5 favorite Lawyers. What are some of your favorites? 
__________________________________________________________________________________
This post is part of the Blogging A through Z Challenge 2013. My theme (in case you didn't already guess) is character types and tropes. Stay tuned for the rest of the alphabet, and if you’d like to check in on the other participants, simply click here.

20 comments:

  1. A Few Good Men is one of my favorite movies. And no, they couldn't handle him!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mitch McDeere in John Grisham's 'The Firm'. It's one of those books that stays with you and all the while you are reading it you are hoping he will do the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great idea for A to Z. I love John Grisham's novels, and find all of his lawyer characters marvelous.

    ReplyDelete
  4. As far as litigation movies go, The Insider is a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And in semi-relation, Russell Crowe in American Gangster.

      Delete
  5. You left out one of my favorite fictional lawyers, Tom Hagen, the lawyer/consigliere for the Corleone family, from The Godfather.

    ReplyDelete
  6. They are wonderful when you need them, and I can think of a lot of other professions that people may not care for. I think lawyers are wonderful people, and while you do pay for their services...they are invaluable. Good post. www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hmm... I'm not bringing anything to mind other than Mockingbird.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm rather fond of Harvey. Bit of a dish :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great lawyer choices. I'd move Mickey Haller up to take Harvey Spector's spot in the Top 5, but they're all good. Stopping by from A-Z. Good to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loved the Lincoln Lawyer. Don't forget the Rain Maker - the movie adaptation really struck a cord with me since I was working for a law firm when it came out (and yes, some attorneys really are that cheesy/scummy). A good lawyer is worth her weight in gold!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another great article! It got me thinking about lawyers in some of my favorite novels. I could only recall one, although not his name, from the original Little Fuzzy, by H.Beam Piper. What a great character! There is also one in the re-write by John Scalzione, and that character is pretty good as well.

    Other than Sci-Fi, I also love historical novels. Unfortunately, in a lot of the Nautical novels set in the British Navy in the early 1800s (Napoleonic era), lawyers are usually a foil for the protagonist, as young Naval officers are perpetually in debt, or trouble with the prize court, or some other difficulty. I am thinking of the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brian especially...

    Chuck
    valleyoftheoldones.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. So true. Being a lawyer (or any other profession!) doesn't define you as a bad person. I know a couple of lawyers, and they are wonderful people.

    Can't think of any in movies in particular outside of Erin Brockovich. (And she didn't start out as a lawyer, though she did become one.)

    Rinelle Grey

    ReplyDelete
  14. lol, loved my cousin vinny...excellent post.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Suits! I love that show. Good choice.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love lawyer movies/courtroom dramas. My Cousin Vinny is hilarious. I love The Rainmaker with Matt Damon.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a great category. As a former lawyer, I really love lawyer based characters. As far as courtroom dramas go, you can't beat A Few Good Men and Kaffee. I love Martin Vail in Primal Fear.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Those are some great examples! I have never really thought about it, but there really have been some great lawyers in fiction. My friend is a lawyer, so I hate to hear all the jokes. There actually can be good lawyers! Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am married to a lawyer, and yet I still have to pick Vincent Gambini as my all-time favorite attorney.

    ReplyDelete