It's about 12:45 p.m. on a 70-degree day in sunny Los Angeles. Expecting to see the actor in his character Mickey Haller’s sleek tailored suits, Garcia-Rulfo is more casually dressed than expected. My black wide-leg trousers and black-and-white striped blazer look too professional next to his stylish navy trousers, polo, black sneakers and tortoise shell sunglasses.
In between, viewers see “LA’s Hottest Defense Attorney” return to the spotlight when he takes on another high-profile murder. Called to the bench this season is restaurant owner Lisa, portrayed by Lana Parrilla, who is accused of murdering businessman Mitchell Bondurant. She also happens to have an intimate relationship with Mickey, causing his second ex-wife and legal aide Lorna to worry if this case is a conflict of interest.
Though he dances around an answer to my question, he does note that that Mickey’s newfound celebrity and romance “blinds him” and Lorna calls him out on it. “There's something really cool in the way played it and I think that’s the key of the whole season.” Garcia-Rulfo lights up when he speaks about his work on “The Lincoln Lawyer.” When it comes to conversation about his own life, he tends to fidget, playing with his iPhone case, which he removes from the phone and twirls on his finger.
As we prepare to exit the car to go into the the restaurant, there's a brief moment when Garcia-Rulfo seems to channel the softer side of Mickey Haller — like when he advocates for clients like the innocent Jesus Menendez — showing that art does often imitate life. In a display of humanity, the actor pauses before he exits, quietly asking the driver if he’s coming in to eat. The driver replies he’s already had lunch and will wait for him.
Describing himself as “shy,” he does say “it feels good” to be center stage on a show he is proud of. He also thinks it’s an honor to play a Mexican-American lawyer.