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When a man with HIV is fired by his law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small-time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Director Jonathan Demme Stars Tom Hanks Denzel Washington Roberta Maxwell
Earlier this year, the ABA Journal asked 12 prominent lawyers who teach film or are connected to the business to choose what they regard as the best movies ever made about lawyers and the law. We’ve collated their various nominees to produce our jury’s top picks.
We office wanted to make a list of my favorite 10 legal movies, but it was just too difficult to narrow down. So after making my selections, we went through 14 other lists to create a super list of the 54 best legal films of all time.
- My Cousin Vinny. Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio. 114 votes. My Cousin Vinny is a comedic courtroom drama, centering around two New Yorkers wrongfully accused of murder in Alabama.
- A Time to Kill. Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey. 73 votes. In the heart of Mississippi, A Time to Kill unfolds, a legal drama with a backdrop of racial tension.
- A Few Good Men. Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore. 119 votes. Is this one of the best lawyer movies ever made? In A Few Good Men, Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a military lawyer, defends two U.S. Marines accused of killing a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay.
- 12 Angry Men. Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley. 86 votes. Following the closing arguments in a murder trial, the 12 members of the jury must deliberate, with a guilty verdict meaning death for the accused, an inner-city teen.
- 12 Angry Men
- A Few Good Men
- A Time to Kill
- …And Justice For All
- Dark Waters
- Erin Brockovich
- I Am Sam
- Just Mercy
- Legally Blonde
- Loving
Plot:During a murder trial, the jury must decide whether a young man is guilty of murdering his father. The matter is framed as a detective story, where the jury is forced to reconsider the evidence, casting doubt on each of the jurors’ own prejudices and preconceived notions about the accused, but most of all about each other. Notable Cast: Henry ...
Plot:In this Courtroom Drama, a young Navy lawyer, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, must defend two Marines accused of murder. Lt. Kafee and his team suspect the accused men may have acted on orders from higher-ranking officers, so they embark on a mission to prove that top officials were involved in and responsible for the crime. Notable Cast: Tom Cruise...
Plot:After finding out that men responsible for attacking his daughter would be set free, Carl Lee Hailey, a Black man living in a largely segregated Mississippi town, takes justice into his own hands. At his trial for these actions, Mr. Hailey’s life depends on Jake Brigance, a young lawyer faced with threats from the KKK, convincing the all-white...
Plot:Lawyer Arthur Kirkland has a history of trouble with Judge Henry T. Fleming. When Judge Fleming is charged with a crime and Mr, Kirkland is tasked with his defense, Mr. Kirkland is haunted by the Judge’s previous conviction of his client on a technicality, causing him to face a moral, ethical, and legal dilemma. Notable Cast: Al Pacino, Jack W...
Plot:In this film based on a true story, a corporate lawyer agrees to help a friend of his family with an environmental lawsuit. While investigating the case, he discovers the dark secrets of the well-known chemical company, DuPont, and decides to expose the truth. Notable Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Pullman, and Victor Gar...
Plot:In this film based on a true story, a young, struggling single mother working as a legal assistant discovers that the Pacific Gas & Electric Company may be responsible for polluting the city’s water supply and poisoning nearby residents. After making this discovery, she and the law firm she works for decide to take action by suing the corporat...
Plot:Sam Dawson is a single father with an intellectual disability raising his 7-year-old daughter. When his daughter is taken away from him and he is in danger of losing his rights due to his disability, Sam enlists a lawyer to help him fight for custody. In the process, the lawyer learns a lot about the value of family, love, and care. Notable Ca...
Plot:In this film based on a true story, Bryan Stevenson, a new lawyer and recent Harvard graduate, moves to Alabama and takes the case of a death row inmate, Walter “Johnny D.” McMillian. During his investigation, Stevenson discovers evidence indicating Mr. McMillian was wrongly accused and fights to prove his innocence. Notable Cast: Michael B. J...
Plot:Often referred to as one of the greatest legal comedies of all time, this story follows Elle Woods, a Malibu Girl who decides to attend Harvard Law to win back her boyfriend after being dumped. Once enrolled in law school, she is inspired to focus on even bigger goals and discovers her true potential. Notable Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wils...
Plot: This film follows the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the couple behind the landmark Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia. In the 1960s, Virginia forbid interracial marriage, and the Lovings were forced to fight in court and against historic prejudices for their rights to be recognized as a married couple. Notable Cast: Ruth Negga,...
Mar 1, 2022 · With all that out of the way, here are 25 of the best legal films and courtroom dramas ever made, ranked.
May 21, 2023 · Here are the best lawyer films of all time. Updated May 20, 2023: If you enjoy watching enthralling legal movies which showcase some of the best lawyers in cinematic history, you'll be...
