Hi Dare! Long time blog viewer but now I have a question: We see Matt being labelled a defense attorney, but are there any instances where he actually used his degree to defend some non-super people? In the 2003 movie they just make him a prosecutor, which I feel would make more sense with wanting justice (thought I still dislike 2003), but I can't think of any real example when it comes to him defending a regular, innocent person in the comics
Hi, and my apologies for the slow response!
In fact, most of what Matt does is defend non-super people. Yes, he has represented many of his superhero colleagues (Namor, Black Widow, the Hulk, Spider-Man, White Tiger, the X-Men, Jeff the Land Shark, etc.) along with the occasional villain (the Gladiator, Mr. Hyde, Big Ben Donovan...), but he doesn't specialize in superhero law, and most of his clients are regular people. Here are a few examples:
Daredevil vol. 1 #47 by Stan Lee, Gene Colan, George Klein, and Artie Simek
The classic Daredevil volume 1 #47 introduces Willie Lincoln, a soldier blinded in combat who was framed by his co-workers back home. Daredevil refers Willie to his "friend" Matt Murdock, who takes Willie's tormentors to court.
Daredevil vol. 1 #203 by Steven Grant, Geof Isherwood, Danny Bulanadi, Jim Novak, and George Roussos
Matt takes on the defense of a man who used to bully him as a child. Foggy eventually figures out that Matt has only taken the case in order to sabotage it. A personal favorite issue of mine, and not the only time that Matt chooses to represent one of his childhood bullies.
Daredevil vol. 1 #312 by D.G. Chichester, Scott McDaniel, Bud LaRosa, Bill Oakley, and Christie Scheele
The drama! The tie! Matt swoops in to defend a young woman (pro bono!) who has been accused of arson and murder.
Daredevil vol. 1 #375 by Joe Kelly, Cary Nord, Christie Scheele, Ian Laughlin, Mark Bernardo, Richard Starkings, Liz Agraphiotis, et al.
In Daredevil volume 1 #375, Matt and Foggy defend Karen Page after she gets framed for murder.
Daredevil vol. 1 #380 by D.G. Chichester, Lee Weeks, Robert Campanella, Christie Scheele, Ian Laughlin, Mark Bernardo, Richard Starkings, and Liz Agraphiotis
One of the plotlines in Daredevil volume 1 #380 is Matt's defense of a man framed by the Kingpin for domestic terrorism.
Daredevil vol. 2 #26 by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, Matt Hollingsworth, Richard Starkings, and Wes Abbott
The "Underboss" story arc begins with Matt's closing statement in a case where he and Foggy defended the parents of children who died due to corporate negligence.
Daredevil: Redemption #5 by David Hine, Michael Gaydos, Lee Loughridge, and Cory Petit
Daredevil: Redemption follows Matt's defense of a teenage boy accused of murder and Satanic activity.
Daredevil vol. 3 #1 by Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, Joe Rivera, Javier Rodriguez, and Joe Caramagna
Volume 3 starts with Matt trying (and...failing) to argue a police brutality case.
Daredevil vol. 4 #15.1, "Worlds Collide" by Marc Guggenheim, Peter Krause, Matthew Wilson, and Joe Caramagna
And Daredevil #15.1 features a great story from the very beginning of Matt's career, in which he defends an alleged criminal who he brought in himself as Daredevil.
There have also been times when, for various reasons, Matt has served as a coach/"ghost-lawyer" for people he is unable to defend in person:
Daredevil vol. 1 #248 by Ann Nocenti, Rick Leonardi, Al Williamson, Joe Rosen, and Petra Scotese
Daredevil vol. 3 #4 by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Muntsa Vicente, and Joe Caramagna
At any rate, as I said, these are just a few examples, but they're representative of the kinds of cases that Nelson & Murdock and their various other partners (Becky, Kirsten, etc.) have typically handled in their day-to-day work. They have always, first and foremost, been about helping regular people.
