Breaking Bad Criminal Lawyer
Saul McGill, known almost exclusively by his professional alias Saul Goodman, is a fictional character in the American television drama series Breaking Bad on AMC. He is portrayed by Bob Odenkirk and was created by Peter Gould, a writer of the series. Saul Goodman will be the main character of the upcoming spin-off series Better Call Saul.
Saul is a criminal lawyer on Breaking Bad. He and can be easily found in the yellow pages of Albuquerque. His made up surname "Goodman" is a play on words to better attract clients: "'S'all good, man!" becomes "Saul Goodman". He is also known for his low-budget television commercials in Albuquerque, where he advertises mainly under the tagline “Better Call Saul!”
Saul, originally of Irish descent, has had multiple wives in the past, one of whom he caught having sex with his stepfather. At a certain point, he developed a romantic relationship with his secretary, albeit short-lived. As a lawyer, Saul changed his real surname from McGill to Goodman, as he claims his clients feel more comfortable with (that they presume him to be) a Jewish lawyer instead of a generic white guy.
He has a highly stylized office in a cheap strip mall. With a repertoire that includes small-time drug busts, fraudulent insurance claims, class actions, and his overbearing manner, he might seem disreputable to police and certain other lawyers. Despite his shady appearance, Saul is indeed a highly competent extra-legal operator, adept at sniffing out legal loopholes and able to negotiate good deals on the behalf of his clients. He has a strong familiarity with the criminal trade and has connections to some of its most influential distributors, like Gus Fring. He also employs the services of a veteran private investigator named Mike, who respects Saul for who he is, and executes often illegal commands from Saul and Gus such as cleaning up crime scenes and bugging homes. Goodman is also not without integrity as he is shown to honor the ethics of his profession, particularly the attorney-client privilege, and is reluctant to involve himself with violence or murder.
Saul was introduced in the episode "Better Call Saul," following Badger's arrest for selling meth. After his arrest, Walt and Jesse contact Saul, as he is known as a criminal lawyer instead of a "criminal lawyer". Walter hires him to keep Badger out of prison. He soon becomes a regular character on Breaking Bad.
Saul Goodman Short Biography
Saul has a diploma in his office that says he is a graduate of the law school of University of American Samoa with an MA in political science. However, this may not be entirely factual, as the university doesn't exist in the real world.Saul has had multiple wives in the past, one of which he caught having intercourse with his step-father. At a certain point, he developed a romantic relationship with his secretary. Saul claims he once successfully impersonated actor Kevin Costner. Saul tells Walter "it worked because I believed it," pitching the Laser Tag arena as a money laundering scheme.
Saul's loan-out corporation is called Ice Station Zebra Associates, and he assures his clients that the company is "totally legit" and that he uses it for "tax purposes."
Saul Goodman Quotes
"Hi, I'm Saul Goodman. Did you know that you have rights? The constitution says you do! And so do I."―Saul speaking in one of his TV commercials.
"My real name's McGill. The Jew thing I just do for the homeboys. They all want a pipe-hitting member of the tribe, so to speak."
―Saul explaining his real name to Walt.
"I caught my second wife screwing my stepdad. OK? It's cruel world, Walt. Grow up."
―Saul talking to Walt.
"Seriously, when the going gets tough, you don't want a criminal lawyer... You want a criminal lawyer."
―Jesse explaining Saul to Walt.
"Look, let's start with some tough love, alright? Ready for this? Here it goes: you two suck at peddling meth. Period."
―Saul explaining the situation to Walt and Jesse.
Jesse: "What in the hell just happened? You're MY lawyer, not his!"
Saul: "It's the way of the world, kid. Go with the winner."
—Saul explaining his worldview to Jesse.