Lionel Hutz is widely considered to be one of the standout, fan-favorite characters from The Simpsons. Voiced by the late Phil Hartman, Hutz is a quick-talking, fast-talking lawyer who often appears in legal scenarios. Despite often being called upon to help on legal matters, he often fails to win justice for his clients, reveling in his reputation as an inept lawyer.
One of the most memorable aspects of Hutz was his catchphrase “I’ll sue the pants off of anyone” and his ability to take on any case regardless of the absurdity of the situation. With his ability to openly flout the law, Hutz had more than a few unforgettable moments that made him an audience favorite. Here we are going to look at some of Lionel Hutz’s best lawyering moments from The Simpsons.
Top 10 Best Lionel Hutz Appearances
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The Last Temptation of Homer – From the get-go, the very first appearance of Lionel Hutz sets the tone for all that is to come. Hutz, who plays the lawyer of Marge’s divorce suit, is seen toiling away in a windowless office in the basement of the Springfield courthouse. His dubious acceptance of “foreign currency” as payment for his services serves as an early indication of his moral bankruptcy. His key line in this episode – “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit” – is a clever take on the famous “if it doesn’t fit you must acquit” catchphrase of the O.J. Simpson trial.
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Bart Gets Hit by a Car – In this classic episode, Hutz helps the Simpsons with their lawsuit against the vengeful Mr. Burns. Despite his seemingly oblivious attitude to the case, Hutz’s quick wit, humor and sharp lawyering techniques prove to be decisive in the courtroom. He ultimately acquits the Simpsons by convincing the jury that Burns is too rich to be affected by a lawsuit.
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A Fish Called Selma – In one of Hutz’s most memorable moments, he helps Troy McClure get a quickie marriage with Selma Bouvier in Las Vegas. With the help of his trusty clerk, Gil, Hutz is able to draw up the necessary paperwork for the union to go ahead. Despite his efforts, however, the marriage ends up ending in failure.
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Lady Bouvier’s Lover – In this episode, Hutz helps Marge’s mother, Mrs. Bouvier, fight for a prenuptial agreement with her new husband. Hutz manages to negotiate a settlement that includes a million dollar settlement as well as a provision for one third of her husband’s future earnings.
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Duffless – Hutz provides legal counsel to Homer when he attempts to annul his marriage to Marge after learning that she was still legally married to Mr. Burns. Hutz is able to convince a judge that the marriage should not be dissolved, on the grounds that Marge and Mr. Burns never legally tied the knot.
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A Streetcar Named Marge – Hutz helps Marge take legal action after her performance in a musical production of A Streetcar Named Desire is met with mockery and derision. He manages to persuade the producer to offer a public apology to his client and also manages to win her $25,000 in damages.
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Homer the Vigilante – Hutz is once again called upon to help the Simpsons when they are threatened with a lawsuit by a sleazy conman. Hutz comes to the rescue and countersues, leading to the conman being forced to apologize in the middle of Homer’s vigilante parade.
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Bart’s Dog Gets an F – When Santa’s Little Helper gets a failing grade from the Springfield dog trainer, Homer and Marge enlist the services of Lionel Hutz. After weighing up the evidence and making a few colorful legal arguments, Hutz is able to get the dog’s grade bumped up to a D minus.
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Brother from the Same Planet – When Homer tries to convince Bart to go back to his estranged father, he hires Hutz to take on the case. Hutz manages to get both parties to reconcile, although the reunion ultimately turns out to be short-lived.
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Treehouse of Horror VI – In this Halloween special, Hutz appears in an emotionally charged scene in which he defends the Simpsons’ right to keep the brain they have borrowed from Professor Frink. His clever argument that the brain legally belonged to Homer since he was the one who purchased it eventually manages to sway the court in the Simpsons’ favor.
Lionel Hutz, no doubt, was one of The Simpsons’ most beloved characters. He was always ready to take on any case, big or small, and gave audiences a chuckle each time he appeared. From getting a failing grade changed to actually winning a case in court, he always managed to provide hilarious moments, no matter the consequence. These are just some of the stand-out appearances by Lionel Hutz, a truly unforgettable Simpsons character who will live on forever in reruns.
