The Lincoln Lawyer True Story Unveiled: Meet the Real-Life Lawyer Who Inspired Mickey Haller!

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The Lincoln Lawyer, both in Michael Connelly's book and in the Netflix adaptation, introduces Mickey Haller as a captivating character who is actually inspired by two real-life lawyers. This legal thriller series revolves around Mickey Haller, a lawyer who operates out of his Lincoln Town Car and finds himself handling high-stakes legal cases, including murder.

In both the novel and the TV series, Mickey Haller's journey commences with him practicing law in Los Angeles County inside the confines of his Lincoln Town Car. A former client, who is working off his legal fees, serves as his driver. While Haller typically takes on run-of-the-mill cases involving drug dealers and gangs, he takes a daring leap by accepting the defense of a wealthy realtor charged with assault and attempted murder. Unsettling in nature, this case prompts Haller to delve into his past cases and self-reflect in order to solve it.

The Lincoln Lawyer Was Inspired By LA Attorney David Ogden

Inspired by LA attorney David Ogden, Mickey Haller, the lead character in The Lincoln Lawyer, was originally created by author Michael Connelly. According to a Netflix's Tudum article, although Haller is a fictional character, Connelly was motivated to shape him after meeting Ogden. The Washington Post reports that in 2001, while writing "The Lincoln Lawyer," Connelly met Ogden at a baseball game through a mutual friend. Ogden, who practiced law out of his car driven by a former client, shared fascinating details about his unconventional practice when asked by Connelly.

Drawing inspiration from these intriguing insights, Connelly began to develop the character of Mickey Haller. With his background as a former cop reporter for over a decade, Connelly's own experiences in crime further contributed to Haller's story and significant legal case. Additionally, Connelly disclosed that besides Ogden's account, he was keen on depicting a lawyer who did the right thing despite the risks to himself and his family, drawing inspiration from the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird." Consequently, Mickey Haller emerged as a composite character drawing from various sources.

Mickey Haller's Career Was Also Inspired By Dan Daly

Content: The inspiration for Haller's character also came from another lawyer named Dan Daly. Daly and Connelly crossed paths at the Daytona Beach News Journal where they both worked. When Daly eventually became a lawyer, Connelly found inspiration in his career path. They often met up at a bar in Florida where Daly and his partner Roger Mills would discuss their work and cases, with Connelly taking notes on napkins. Daly's hectic and always-on-the-go lifestyle greatly influenced the way Mickey Haller operates in The Lincoln Lawyer.

While Mickey Haller draws inspiration from David Ogden and Dan Daly, he is ultimately a unique character in his own right. The Lincoln Lawyer is a fictional legal thriller that incorporates more dramatic elements compared to the real lives of the two attorneys. However, it is undeniable that Connelly's incorporation of certain aspects from Ogden and Daly's lives played a crucial role in making Mickey Haller a genuine and captivating character, which will undoubtedly continue into The Lincoln Lawyer season 2. Though Mickey Haller may have a Hollywood-like aura, it is solely because of the genuine truths used to shape his character.

Sources: Tudum, The Washington Post