There have been many famous fictional lawyers in literature, film and television. Which ones are the most memorable?
Whether in literature, television, film or theatre, the profession of law has always been a favorite subject. There is something about the drama of a courtroom which really grabs the attention of the audience and holds them captive. Lawyers are fascinating characters, using their logic and wit to argue their case even in the face of adversity.
Here are some of the most memorable faces in the fictional courtroom; lawyer characters who have stuck in our mind long after their imaginary courts have been adjourned:
Atticus Finch
Gregory Peck (centre left) at Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962). Credit: © 1962 Universal Pictures Company, Inc.; photograph from a private collection.
In the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch lives in the fictional town of Maycomb County, Alabama. The story takes pace during the Great Depression, and the main conflict of the book revolves around Finch defending a young black man who has been wrongly accused of raping a white woman. Although many of the racist citizens of the small American town taunt him for his position, he stands his ground and proves the young man innocent. Finch has served as a role model of integrity for many actual lawyers practicing today.
When Atticus Finch was portrayed in the film adaptation of the book by Gregory Peck in 1962, the American Film Institute voted him as the “Greatest Hero in American Film”.
Tom Hagen
Who could forget this memorable character, played by Robert Duvall in the “Godfather” series of films? He is Don Vito Corleone’s adopted son and acts as the family lawyer and legal advisor. Hagen is a soft-spoken and mild mannered character, who becomes a voice of reason within his family. He had his work cut out for him, being the sole legal counsel to a family which is a multi-million dollar organized crime syndicate.
Vincent “Vinny” Gambini
Played by Joe Pesci, this straight-talking brash Brooklyn lawyer represents his cousin and his friend who have both been arrested for murder at a convenience store in Alabama in the 1992 film “My Cousin Vinny”. Vinny barely passed the legal bar exam after six tries, and it is his informal style of arguing which makes him so memorable, especially the hilarious line, “Everything that guy just said is bullsh*t.” If only lawyers could say that in a courtroom more often…
Fletcher Reede
In this goofy comedy, Jim Carrey plays a very career-focused and somewhat slimy lawyer whose son is tired of him saying that he will spend time with him and then never showing up. Young Max makes a wish on his birthday cake that for 24 hours his father will not be able to tell a lie. The wish comes true, to the hilarious peril of Reede, who has a huge court case that day that relied on him fudging the truth as he usually did. His bizarre courtroom antics are unforgettable, and he finally manages to win the case by being honest. He connects with his son again and learns a thing or two about what is really important to him.
This article was produced whilst researching content for Access Legal Solicitors—a UK law firm.
There are just a few of the lawyer characters who stand out in literature and film, but they are not the only ones. Who is your favorite fictional lawyer, and why do they inspire you?