The legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer has returned to Netflix for its fourth season, which began streaming on . This season marks a significant departure for the series, placing its protagonist, defense attorney Mickey Haller, in the defendant’s seat, and escalating the stakes to their highest point yet.
A Case of Mistaken Identity and a Fight for Freedom
Season 4 opens with a jarring twist: Mickey Haller is pulled over by police who discover the body of Sam Scales, a former associate, in the trunk of his vehicle. Accused of murder, Haller is forced to employ his legal expertise to defend himself, a situation creator and co-showrunner Ted Humphrey describes as the most “emotional and personal” journey for the character to date. The season unfolds as a tense struggle to prove his innocence, protect his reputation, and uncover the truth behind the framing.
Haller isn’t alone in this fight. He relies on his established team – Lorna Crane, Cisco Wojciechowski, and Izzy Letts – for support. His ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, also lends her expertise, leveraging her intimate knowledge of Mickey’s character and legal strategies. The case is deeply personal, demanding everything from Haller and those closest to him.
Unraveling a Biofuel Scam and Organized Crime
The investigation quickly reveals that Sam Scales was involved in a large-scale biofuel scam connected to Alex Garizian, a figure within Armenian organized crime. Garizian’s company, BioGreen, presented itself as an environmentally friendly operation while fraudulently claiming government subsidies. Scales’ trucking firm was instrumental in the scheme, exclusively transporting goods for BioGreen. However, Scales began diverting funds for personal gain, a betrayal that ultimately led to his demise.
According to the narrative, Garizian orchestrated Scales’ murder and meticulously framed Haller, utilizing the opportunity to eliminate a long-standing adversary. Scales was killed in Haller’s garage, and his body was placed in the lawyer’s car to create the illusion of guilt. Just as Haller believes he is closing in on the truth, a new layer of complexity emerges: Scales was secretly cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI confirms that Scales was providing information to expose a widespread fraud scheme orchestrated by organized crime groups across the country, a network valued at millions of dollars. However, the FBI refuses to testify in Haller’s trial, citing concerns that doing so would jeopardize their ongoing investigation into the larger criminal network.
A Deal with the Devil and a Tarnished Victory
Facing limited options, Haller strategically convinces Jeanine, Garizian’s girlfriend, to testify. Her statement could potentially prove that Garizian was responsible for Scales’ murder. However, just as she is about to take the stand, the court proceedings are halted. In a closed-door negotiation, the FBI and the district attorney offer Haller a deal: the charges against him will be dropped if he agrees to remain silent about the federal probe.
Haller reluctantly accepts the offer. He secures a public declaration of his innocence from Prosecutor Dana Berg, helping to restore his professional reputation. While he avoids a life sentence, Haller is left with a sense of unease, recognizing that justice has not been fully served. The outcome is a pyrrhic victory, achieved at the cost of compromising a larger investigation.
Romantic Stalemate and a Looming Threat
The season also explores the complex dynamic between Mickey and Maggie. Despite lingering feelings and a deeper understanding of each other, their relationship remains unresolved. Maggie struggles with the moral implications of Mickey’s profession, defending individuals accused of serious crimes, creating an insurmountable obstacle to reconciliation. They ultimately decide to remain separated.
Season 5 on the Horizon and a Shocking Revelation
The season concludes on a dramatic cliffhanger. Haller is nearly killed in a shooting outside a grocery store, narrowly escaping thanks to the intervention of a mysterious woman. The final scene reveals this woman to be Mickey’s sister, a revelation that promises to significantly impact the storyline of Season 5. The FBI also warns Haller that the Armenian mob remains a threat, even with Garizian’s death.
Netflix has already greenlit Season 5, with showrunners expressing excitement about continuing Haller’s story. The next season will consist of 10 episodes, with production slated to begin in . Based on previous release patterns, Season 5 is anticipated to arrive in , promising another installment of legal intrigue and personal turmoil in Mickey Haller’s world.