Who Died in “The Lincoln Lawyer” Season 4? All About the Shocking Demise of a Fan-Favorite Character
- - Who Died in “The Lincoln Lawyer” Season 4? All About the Shocking Demise of a Fan-Favorite Character
Caroline BlairFebruary 6, 2026 at 4:00 AM
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Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, Jazz Raycole as Izzy Letts, Becki Newton as Lorna Crane and Angus Sampson as Denis "Cisco" Wojciechowski in episode 303 of The Lincoln Lawyer.
Lara Solanki/Netflix
The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 featured the death of one of the show's beloved characters
This season of the Netflix legal series centers around Mickey Haller's (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) own legal woes
Season 4 premiered all 10 episodes on Feb. 5
The Lincoln Lawyer has parted ways with a beloved character.
Season 4 of the legal thriller, which premiered all 10 episodes on Netflix on Feb. 5, follows defense attorney Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) as he takes on seemingly impossible cases across Los Angeles. However, the most recent season takes a major twist when Mickey, himself, is a suspect in the murder of his client, Sam Scales (Christopher Thornton).
While Mickey is fighting the charges, he receives support from his colleagues and confidantes — including Maggie McPherson (Neve Campbell), Lorna Crane (Becki Newton), Izzy Letts (Jazz Raycole), Dennis “Cisco” Wojciechowski (Angus Sampson) and David “Legal” Siegel (Elliott Gould).
“We knew going in that season 4 was going to be the most emotional and personal [one yet],” creator, co-showrunner and executive producer Ted Humphrey told Tudum.
However, in addition to Mickey's own troubled storyline, the future of another character gets cut short halfway through the season.
Here's everything to know about who died in season 4 of The Lincoln Lawyer.
Warning: The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 spoilers below!
Who died in The Lincoln Lawyer season 4?
Elliott Gould as Legal Siegel in episode 209 of The Lincoln Lawyer.
Lara Solanki/Netflix
In a tragic turn of events, Mickey's mentor, substitute father and close friend Legal died at the end of the sixth episode.
As fans recall, Mickey had known Legal his whole life, as he was his late father's former business partner. When Mickey's dad died when he was a child, Legal became a crucial father figure to him, while also offering him legal advice.
After retiring, Legal resided in an assisted living facility but frequently visited Mickey and continued helping out with his cases.
How did Legal die?
Elliott Gould as Legal Siegel in episode 202 of The Lincoln Lawyer.
Courtesy of Netflix
Earlier on in the season, Legal helped Mickey while also bonding with him on a personal level. However, Mickey didn't relay the full severity of the case against him, so Legal had no idea that when he went to visit him at the office in episode 6, Mickey would actually be in court.
Instead of heading back home, Legal — who was previously hospitalized for a heart problem and was on a heart-conscious diet — opted to get lunch with Mickey's colleague, Lorna. The two chatted over pastrami sandwiches, and Legal got on the bus to head home.
However, he sadly didn't make it home, and suffered a fatal heart attack on the bus. Lorna later relayed the devastating news to Mickey and Maggie while they took a break outside the courtroom.
“Legal had a heart attack. He was on the bus, and we were talking," she explained through tears. "I thought everything was fine. He’s gone, Mickey ... I talked to his son and they’re gonna try to do the funeral in the next couple of days.”
Mickey instantly broke down in tears and sobbed to Maggie and Lorna.
How does The Lincoln Lawyer wrap up Legal’s storyline and his relationship with Mickey?
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Elliott Gould in The Lincoln Lawyer.
Courtesy of Netflix
Despite hearing the heart wrenching news that his dear mentor had died, Mickey still had to appear in court for his murder charge. Instead of paying the bail to attend Legal's funeral, Mickey chose to stay in prison and missed the service.
Although their relationship initially seemed to end on an ambiguous note, Mickey later has a dream about Legal in episode 7. In the dream, Mickey sees his mentor visiting him behind bars to give him one more round of advice.
Legal joked that he had "one too many pastrami sandwiches" before taking a more serious tone. “What am I going to do without you, Legal?” Mickey asked.
Legal simply replied, "Same thing you did with me. Figure it out. There’s an old Chinese proverb. A wise parent gives their children roots and wings. I saw it in a fortune cookie at Yang Chow. We gave you the roots. Your father and me both. Now you gotta spread your wings, kid. Don’t worry so much. I’m right here. Always."
Why did the show kill off Legal?
Elliott Gould as Legal Siegel in episode 406 of The Lincoln Lawyer.
Courtesy of Netflix
While it's not explicitly clear why The Lincoln Lawyer killed off Legal, the series is based on Michael Connelly's books — which also saw Legal die. However, the way in which the series revealed Legal's death differed, as it wasn't mentioned in the book until Mickey visits his grave.
"At some point, the Yoda-like relationship that he has with Legal — like Yoda died, too, and then advised Luke from the force or whatever — almost has to take that turn when you have the wise old mentor like that," showrunner Humphrey told TV Insider of the rationale for Legal's death.
Humphrey said that although the death was planned, it was still "super emotional" to part ways with both Legal and the actor, Gould, who played him.
"Everybody stood up and gave a standing ovation and cheered when Elliott shot his last scene," Humphrey recalled. "It was very emotional for him. I think he’s really loved doing the show, and it’s been such an honor for us to work with him."
When asked if Legal could ever appear in future episodes, Humphrey teased, "never say never."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
