The American Bar Association Journal even did a list of the top 25 recently. Unfortunately a large number of them are from US TV series which we haven’t had the privilege of viewing. These are our favorites which most of you should be familiar with:

1.

Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) – The Godfather, The Godfather II

“A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.”
“I have a special practice.  I handle one client.”
—Tom Hagen

Struggling with your negotiation skills, check out this classic and see what a neatly placed horse’s head will get you.

2. Horace Rumpole, (Leo McKern) the ageing London barrister who defends any and all clients. A devotee of Arthur Quiller-Couch’s Oxford Book of English Verse, he often quotes Wordsworth (and other poets less frequently, e.g. Shakespeare). He secretly calls his wife Hilda “She Who Must Be Obeyed”.

When the world thinks of barristers, what’s the betting that most picture in their minds a man like Horace Rumpole.

3. Lt. Daniel Kaffee, (Tom Cruise) A Few Good Men. Arrogant maverick. Would you be that rude to Jack Nicholson?

Kaffee:: Twelve years. I can get it knocked down to Involuntary Manslaughter. Twelve years.
JoAnne: You haven’t talked to a witness, you haven’t looked at a piece of paper.
Kaffee: Pretty impressive, huh?

Oh and of course…

Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col. Jessep: [shouts] You can’t handle the truth!

One of Cruise’s characters had to have a place so it was either Kaffee or Mitch McDeere, his character from The Firm – who bravely takes on a bunch of lawyers and the Mafia (see 1. above). Kaffee has it.

4. Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart) of Cage, Fish and Associates. One for the ladies. If only working in a law firm was that much fun. That weird. Or involved such strange episodes taking place in the communal toilets.

There’s probably a raft of mid-level associates feeling rather deceived at this stage in their careers.

5.

Lionel Hutz (Voiced by Phil Hartman) – The Simpsons

“Mr. Simpson, the state bar forbids me from promising you a big cash settlement.  But just between you and me, I promise you a big cash settlement.”
—Lionel Hutz

If only it were that easy.

Bonus Issues…

Philip Banks, AKA Uncle Phil, AKA Zeke (James Avery) – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. If only senior lawyers were all as tolerant.

Oscar Zeta Acosta, AKA Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He can’t actually be included because he is based on a real person. We’re not sure that everything we’ve heard about him is entirely non fictional however:

Dr. Gonzo: Sounds like big trouble. You’re going to need plenty of legal advice before this thing is over. As your attorney, I advise you to rent a very fast car with no top. And you’ll need the cocaine. Tape recorder for special music. Acapulco shirts. Get the hell out of L.A. for at least 48 hours. Blows my weekend.
Raoul Duke: Why?
Dr. Gonzo: Because naturally I’m going to have to go with you. And we’re going to have to arm ourselves… to the teeth!”

(Assorted quotes and pics via Bitter Lawyer and Wikipedia)