Michael is a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who operates primarily out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. Known for his legal pragmatism, he typically represents drug dealers, sex workers, and gang members, ensuring they receive agreeable plea bargains. He is motivated heavily by money but maintains a personal code regarding fairness for the disadvantaged. His fast-paced professional life contrasts with his fractured personal life, which includes two ex-wives and a young daughter he struggles to see regularly.

Louis is a real estate agent from Beverly Hills who faces accusations of a brutal assault. He insists he is entirely innocent and claims he was set up by the victim to extort money from his wealthy family. As a franchise client with significant financial resources, he represents a major payday for Michael Haller. Louis presents himself as an upstanding citizen with no prior criminal record who is terrified by his sudden entanglement in the justice system.

Maggie is a dedicated prosecutor for the District Attorney's office and Michael Haller's first ex-wife. She deeply opposes Michael's work defending criminals, choosing instead to fight for victims. Despite their professional differences and divorce, she shares a complex, lingering bond with Michael as they navigate co-parenting their young daughter.

Raul is a former police officer turned private investigator who frequently works for criminal defense attorneys. He is a close personal friend of Michael Haller, having helped him navigate his first divorce. Raul is sharply intelligent, dedicated, and skilled at digging up critical information that the prosecution might miss or obscure.

Jesus is a former client of Michael Haller who is currently serving a fifteen-year sentence in San Quentin. He was accused of murdering a sex worker. Despite his constant pleas of innocence, Michael convinced him to take a plea bargain to avoid the death penalty. He comes from a disadvantaged background and speaks broken English, leaving him highly vulnerable to the legal machine.

Regina is the woman accusing Louis Roulet of attempted rape and murder. She is a sex worker who operates out of her apartment, a fact that complicates the prosecution's case against Roulet. Regina tells authorities that she was viciously beaten and threatened at knifepoint. Her background and profession make her an easy target for defense strategies, yet she maintains that she was targeted and assaulted.

Mary is the wealthy, highly protective mother of Louis Roulet. She owns the Beverly Hills real estate firm where her son works and uses her substantial resources to support his legal defense. She is fiercely devoted to Louis and provides critical information to Michael regarding her own past trauma to help explain why her son carries a knife.

Ted Minton is a young, relatively inexperienced trial lawyer assigned to prosecute Louis Roulet. Eager to prove himself, he goes up against the far more seasoned Michael Haller. He attempts to build a strong case utilizing physical evidence and witness testimony, though his lack of courtroom seasoning leaves him vulnerable to Michael's maneuvers.

Martha is the deceased victim in the case that sent Jesus Menendez to prison. She was a sex worker who danced at a local club before being brutally murdered in her apartment. Her murder file is reviewed by Michael and Raul Levin when they notice similar details between her death and the attack on Regina Campo.

Earl is Michael Haller's driver. A former client who owes Michael legal fees from a past cocaine charge, Earl works off his debt by chauffeuring Michael around Los Angeles. He prefers the safety of this job to his previous criminal lifestyle and acts as a quiet presence while Michael conducts business from the backseat.

Fernando is a bail bondsman who maintains a mutually beneficial professional relationship with Michael Haller. He routinely refers high-paying clients, such as Louis Roulet, to Michael in exchange for the lucrative business of providing their bond. He handles the logistical aspects of bailing clients out, including applying tracking bracelets when necessary.

Cecil is the Roulet family's long-time attorney. Accustomed to catering exclusively to wealthy Beverly Hills clients, he is initially skeptical of Michael's flashy, street-level tactics. He acts as a liaison between Michael and the Roulet family's wealth, ensuring Louis receives top-tier representation.

Lorna is Michael Haller's second ex-wife and current legal assistant. She acts as his first line of defense, fielding calls, managing his busy schedule, and screening potential clients for their ability to pay. Despite their quick marriage and equally quick divorce, the two maintain a functional, occasionally tense working relationship.

Hayley is the young daughter of Michael Haller and Maggie McPherson. She lives primarily with her mother due to Michael's demanding and irregular work schedule. She is a source of immense pride and lingering guilt for Michael, who frequently uses gifts to compensate for his physical absence.

Gloria is a sex worker and a long-standing pro-bono client of Michael Haller. She is currently facing drug charges following a sting operation. Michael feels a sense of duty toward her, viewing her case with empathy and working creative legal angles to help her avoid significant jail time.

Harold is a drug dealer facing charges for an illegal marijuana growing operation. He is one of Michael's everyday guilty clients, reliant on Michael's ability to spot procedural errors to get his case dismissed. He pays Michael in cash through an associate.

Charles is a convenience store owner who regularly hires sex workers. He is identified as the man Regina Campo was with shortly before the attack. As a left-handed individual, his presence on the night of the crime becomes a critical piece of the defense's strategy.

Corliss is a known jailhouse informant and heroin addict. He has a history of providing testimony against fellow inmates in exchange for reduced sentences and placement in treatment facilities. The prosecution plans to use his testimony regarding statements allegedly made by Louis Roulet while in holding.

Detective Lankford is a Glendale homicide detective with a deep-seated contempt for defense attorneys and their investigators. Following a difficult personal divorce that cost him heavily in legal fees, he views lawyers as inherently corrupt. He routinely suspects Michael's actions and motives.

Detective Sobel is Detective Lankford's partner in the Glendale homicide division. She is generally more measured and approachable than her partner, occasionally offering insights into Lankford's bitter behavior. She coordinates the gathering of evidence and attempts to extract truthful cooperation from Michael.

Hector is a fugitive wanted by federal authorities for major drug trafficking. He is indirectly involved in Michael's caseload as the client who paid Gloria Dayton in cocaine, inadvertently leading to her arrest. Michael leverages Hector's identity as a bargaining chip with prosecutors.

Howard is a homicide detective who previously worked against Michael on the Jesus Menendez case. He openly despises defense attorneys, viewing them as bottom-feeders who take from society without giving back. He serves as a vocal critic of Michael's moral compass and career choices.

Sam is a wealthy, repeat conman who orchestrates identity theft and credit card fraud schemes. Unlike the street-level clients Michael usually defends, Sam's white-collar crimes and utter lack of remorse offend Michael's personal code. Michael views him with deep contempt despite representing him.

Judge Fullbright is the no-nonsense judge assigned to the Louis Roulet case. Michael has known her for over a decade, noting that she is notoriously fair but prone to delivering maximum sentences when warranted. She runs a tight courtroom and shows little patience for prosecutorial incompetence.

Jack is a superior at the District Attorney's office and Ted Minton's boss. He steps in when the prosecution faces significant irregularities with their evidence and witness testimony, prioritizing the integrity of the justice system over winning a compromised case.

Teddy is the leader of the Road Saints, a Harley motorcycle gang. He is an occasional client and associate of Michael Haller. Teddy respects Michael for his legal victories and is willing to mobilize his gang members to provide security favors when Michael is in need.

Leslie is the prosecutor assigned to Gloria Dayton's drug case. She is pragmatic and open to negotiation, ultimately accepting a deal from Michael that keeps Gloria out of jail in exchange for high-level information on a wanted fugitive.

Darius is a long-time client of Michael Haller caught selling drugs for the sixth time. Facing inevitable jail time, he views his incarceration as an unavoidable rite of passage. He connects with Michael through an appreciation for Tupac Shakur's music, embodying the cycle of poverty and crime.