The the lincoln lawyer movie cast brings together a stacked lineup of Oscar winners, Emmy winners, and standout character actors who help turn the 2011 courtroom thriller into a tense, fast-moving story set in Los Angeles.
At the center is a defense attorney who works out of the back seat of his Lincoln, taking on cases that blur the line between right and wrong. Around him, every supporting role matters—because each character carries a secret, a motive, or a piece of the truth.
Table of Contents
Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller
Matthew McConaughey plays Mick “Mickey” Haller, a criminal defense attorney known for doing business on the move. He’s sharp, persuasive, and always calculating the next angle. McConaughey anchors the film with a performance built on charisma, speed, and a growing sense of danger as the case tightens around him.
Marisa Tomei as Maggie McPherson
Marisa Tomei plays Maggie McPherson, a prosecutor and Mickey’s ex-wife. Maggie isn’t just part of Mickey’s personal life—she also represents the moral pressure that keeps challenging his choices. Tomei gives Maggie a grounded intensity, balancing professional confidence with real frustration at how Mickey operates.
Ryan Phillippe as Louis Roulet
Ryan Phillippe portrays Louis Roulet, a wealthy client accused of a violent crime. Roulet arrives with money, privilege, and a story that doesn’t sit still. Phillippe leans into the character’s unpredictability, helping the film maintain suspense as the truth shifts in and out of view.
William H. Macy as Frank Levin
William H. Macy plays Frank Levin, Mickey’s investigator and a key member of his inner circle. Frank is practical, experienced, and willing to push into uncomfortable territory to protect his client—or protect Mickey. Macy’s presence adds weight and credibility to the film’s investigative turns.
Josh Lucas as Ted Minton
Josh Lucas appears as Ted Minton, a prosecutor who becomes a significant legal obstacle. Minton brings courtroom pressure and strategic force, raising the stakes when Mickey needs room to maneuver. Lucas plays him with confidence that fits a lawyer who expects to control the room.
John Leguizamo as Val Valenzuela
John Leguizamo portrays Val Valenzuela, Mickey’s driver and trusted associate. Val is more than transportation—he’s a connector, a helper, and someone who understands how Mickey survives in the city’s legal ecosystem. Leguizamo injects humor and loyalty while keeping the tone grounded.
Michael Peña as Jesus Martinez
Michael Peña plays Jesus Martinez, whose case is tied to the film’s deeper layers. His storyline adds urgency and emotional consequence, pushing Mickey to confront what his work can cost other people. Peña’s performance helps underline that the film isn’t only about clever lawyering—it’s also about real lives.
Bryan Cranston as Detective Lankford
Bryan Cranston appears as Detective Lankford, a law enforcement figure who collides with Mickey’s world as the case expands. The character brings official pressure and suspicion into the narrative, making it harder for Mickey to stay ahead. Cranston’s controlled intensity adds tension whenever the investigation closes in.
Frances Fisher as Mary Windsor
Frances Fisher plays Mary Windsor, a figure connected to the case and its fallout. Her role reinforces the story’s theme that power and influence can shape outcomes in ways that aren’t always visible in the courtroom.
Bob Gunton as Cecil Dobbs
Bob Gunton portrays Cecil Dobbs, another key character within the film’s legal and institutional network. He adds authority and a sense of establishment presence to the story.
Trace Adkins as Eddie Vogel
Trace Adkins plays Eddie Vogel, a character who adds muscle and intimidation to the world around Mickey’s cases. His presence signals that the danger isn’t limited to legal consequences.
Laurence Mason as Earl
Laurence Mason appears as Earl, rounding out the supporting cast that fills in the film’s network of clients, contacts, and complications.
Margarita Levieva as Reggie Campo
Margarita Levieva plays Reggie Campo, contributing to the film’s layered relationships and the pressure building around Mickey as events accelerate.
Why the Cast Works So Well in This Story
A legal thriller lives or dies on credibility. The audience has to believe the lawyer can win a room, that the accused can charm and unsettle, and that the people in the system—prosecutors, investigators, and associates—each have their own goals.
This ensemble succeeds because every key role feels specific. The film doesn’t rely on one performance doing all the heavy lifting. Instead, it uses a chain reaction: a client’s claim triggers a prosecutor’s response, which triggers an investigator’s dig, which triggers law enforcement attention, which triggers personal fallout.
That structure demands actors who can make small moments matter—an expression, a pause, a shift in tone—because in stories like this, the truth often hides in the edges.
Quick Reference: Major Characters at a Glance
- Mickey Haller: defense attorney at the center of the case
- Maggie McPherson: prosecutor and Mickey’s ex-wife
- Louis Roulet: wealthy client accused of assault
- Frank Levin: investigator working with Mickey
- Ted Minton: prosecutor pushing back in court
- Val Valenzuela: Mickey’s driver and trusted ally
- Jesus Martinez: a pivotal connection to the broader story
- Detective Lankford: law enforcement pressure as the mystery deepens
If you’re searching for the lincoln lawyer movie cast because you’re revisiting the film or watching it for the first time, this lineup is a big reason it stays compelling: the stars deliver the punch, and the supporting players keep the tension locked in place.
How This Film Cast Differs From the TV Series
It’s easy to mix up the 2011 film with the later television adaptation that uses the same character world. The movie features Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller and builds its story around this specific film ensemble. The TV series has its own separate cast and continuity.