Better Call Saul's Kim Wexler is one of television's most iconic attorneys. She is the foil to the show's main character, Jimmy McGill (now Saul Goodman), and she works harder than anyone on behalf of her clients.
While Jimmy favors money over morals, oftentimes testing just how much he can blur ethical boundaries, Kim finds meaning in helping underdogs and walking a straight line to do so. Even though Kim chooses to enlist Jimmy 's questionable tactics in her fight against some of the more formidable and frustrating parts of the legal system, she does so as a last resort.
Throughout the five seasons of the show, Kim has made some bold and savvy moves as an attorney. Here are ten of her best attorney scenes on the show.
A Deal For The Kettlemans
Betsy and Craig Kettleman are Albuquerque's most infamous white-collar criminals. As the treasurer for Bernalillo County, Craig embezzles 1.4 million dollars of the county's funds.
In desperate need of legal representation, Betsy and Craig hire Kim's firm after deciding that Jimmy looks like he represents guilty people. Kim knows the evidence is stacked against Craig and advises him that his best-case scenario is to take a plea deal. Kim's positive relationship with the District Attorney helps her get a thirty-year sentence reduced to 16 months. Although Jimmy schemes to ensure Craig takes the deal, it is Kim's negotiation skills that land the deal in the first place.
Document Review
Howard Hamlin is not the world's greatest boss, and he certainly doesn't let Kim off the hook for much. When Jimmy produces an amateur commercial for Sandpiper Crossing, Howard blames Kim for not letting him know about the commercial before it airs.
As punishment, Howard transfers Kim to the "Cornfield," also known as the drudgery and monotony of document review. Just as she does with everything else, Kim works harder and for longer hours than anyone else. Even when Jimmy tries to help her get back at Howard, Kim rebukes him, telling him, "You don't save me. I save me."
Mesa Verde
Kim brainstorms all of her potential business connections to land new business for the firm and save herself from the career dulling routine of document review. One by one, Kim crosses each business prospect off her list, leaving her with seemingly zero chance to leave the basement. Kim's hard work finally pays off when she helps retain Mesa Verde.
With Mesa Verde in her pocket, Kim has the potential to bring a lot of green to the firm's table. Despite Howard's attempt to keep Kim in document review, even after she brokers the agreement, Kim ends up as the bank's point person.
Kim Drops Howard
Kim decides to tell Howard that she is leaving the firm to hang her shingle. Howard confides that he is jealous of Kim's ability to have a fresh start and he brushes away her offer to reimburse the firm for her student loans.
Kim realizes that Howard's ulterior motive for promising to wipe clean her tuition debt is that he intends to keep Mesa Verde after she leaves. Kim hustles to ensure Mesa Verde goes with her, including telling the bank president, Kevin, that she knows his expansion plans inside and out and can tailor her services to the bank's needs. Kim's decision to branch out on her own and finally tell Howard "Good Riddance" is one of her best attorney scenes in the series.
Attorney-Client Privilege
When Kim learns that Chuck has recorded Jimmy confessing to professional misconduct, she acts quickly to protect herself from being implicated in Jimmy's actions. She promptly advises Jimmy to give her one dollar to establish their attorney-client relationship. Kim then represents Jimmy at his hearing before the bar association and brings her A-game to help expose Chuck's alleged allergy to electromagnetism as the psychological issue it truly is. With Kim's help, Jimmy is suspended from practice for one year but is allowed to keep his license.
Gatwood Oil
Kim comes up with a strategy to help Texas oilman Billy Gatwood avoid paying taxes to both New Mexico and Texas. She suggests that Mr. Gatwood try to pay a set amount of money for the damage his drilling has caused to the land. Kim is certain that the New Mexico rights holders would pounce on a settlement offer, and she prepares a thorough presentation for all involved.
On the way to the meeting with both parties, Kim is injured in a one-car accident. Although the arrangement would have guaranteed increased business opportunities, the wreck is the final impetus for Kim to change the focus of her practice. Kim refers Mr. Gatwood to Schweikart and Cokely, a move that poises her for an ideal opportunity in the future.
Kim's Verdict
When Kim decides to change up her practice, she sits in on Judge Munsinger's courtroom to observe his Paul Newman lands in The Verdict. He warns Kim that he will assign her overflow cases from the public defender's office if she continues to troll his courtroom.
The Judge is surprised to see Kim still sitting in the gallery after his onition. Kim's car wreck, in addition to her guilt over Chuck's suicide, leads her to take on pro bono criminal cases. The Judge's warning to assign Kim these cases is exactly the outcome she wants.
Public Defender Overflow
After her car accident, Kim starts taking overflow cases from the public defender's office, including representing a kid charged with felony property damage. Kim argues that her client should be given probation and time served instead of more jail time. As leverage, Kim cites the arresting officer's failure to properly Mirandize her client.
Kim forces the prosecutor's hand just as the judge takes the bench. Kim goes to great lengths to help her clients, including lending them clothing and showing up at their homes after they skip out on hearings.
Schweikhart Deal
Kim knows she cannot devote most of her time to pro bono cases if she is bogged down with her work from Mesa Verde. She teams up with Rich Schweikart, and he offers to make her a senior partner in charge of developing and running his firm's new banking division. Mr. Schweikart feels like he owes Kim for referring Billy Gatwood to his firm.
Kim jumps on the offer because it means multiple associates can handle the day to day Mesa Verde matters while she devotes the majority of her time to her pro bono clients.
Expansion Deal
When Mesa Verde begins its expansion, it must pay its tenants who still reside on the building sites a five thousand dollar settlement. One of these leaseholders is Everett Acker, who has resided in his home for over forty years. Mr. Acker refuses to honor the contract , incorrectly citing his right to stay put because of adverse possession.
Kim empathizes with Mr. Acker's situation. She figures out how Mesa Verde can continue building its new call center without forcing Mr. Acker to move from his beloved home. Although the bank refuses to abandon its original plans, Kim's badass attorney skills allow her to think through possibilities that can benefit everyone involved.