In Better Call Saul, Howard Hamlin — the senior partner at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM) — not only gets caught up in the feud between the two McGill brothers but also falls out with both of them at different stages. And as one of Albuquerque's elite citizens, he carries himself as a strict professional, always putting the interests of his firm above any individual.
Howard's success has also made him proud, arrogant, and self-centered, and it's these traits that mostly inspire his remarks. On occasion, he makes some pronouncements that are driven by kindness and the desire to please others but that is always temporary. Nonetheless, whether he is firing someone or counseling them, Howard's quotes are always enthralling.
When Kim Hands In Her Resignations Letter
"That Can't Just Be Happenstance."
In the same week that Jimmy leaves Davis & Main, Kim also declares that she is quitting HHM. Howard believes that she and Jimmy must be up to something.
There are multiple ways Jimmy and Kim have proved they are perfect for each other in Better Call Saul and choosing to open their own law firm is one of them. Tired of being pushed around by egoistical bosses like Howard, they figure it's best to do their own thing. Kim doesn't tell Howard why she is quitting, but he is smart enough to figure it out since he has been in the industry long enough to know how people make their moves.
When Chuck Asks Why & How Kim Is Branching Out On Her Own
"The 'Why' Is The Why. The 'How' Is That She's Pooling Her Resources With Jimmy."
Chuck is astonished to learn that Kim has decided to go into private practice. Howard assures him that he doesn't know why she is doing it but he knows how.
Kim's decision catches her bosses by surprise since she was a valued employee. The 'why' that Howard and Chuck are trying so hard to figure out is simple. She is doing it because she is deeply in love with Jimmy. As the sleazy lawyer that he is, Jimmy is obviously a bad influence on Kim, but he is ambitious too and she likes that about him.
When He Sues Jimmy For Trademark Infringement
"Hamlindigo Blue Is Our Trademarked Brand Identifier."
After branching out on his own, Jimmy erects a billboard that imitates HHM's logo. Frustrated, Howard takes him to court, claiming that the Hamlindigo blue color belongs to his firm because it's actually named after him.
Howard's self-love is a bit inflated but that isn't surprising since he is one of the most accomplished members of Albuquerque's legal community. Naming a color after himself and actually trademarking it is a bit bizarre, but it's traits like this that have made him successful in the first place. Ultimately, Jimmy is left with no choice but to cease the usage of the Hamlindigo blue color.
Advising Chuck To Cut Ties With Jimmy
"Where Would We Be If, Say, Clarence Darrow Had Devoted The Best Years Of His Life To Supervising Never-Do-Well Relatives?"
As Howard bonds with Chuck over Macallan scotch, he advises him to stop helping his brother. He makes a reference to the infamous lawyer Clarence Darrow and how he would have been nothing if he spent his time focussing on relatives.
The Clarence Darrow pop culture reference is an interesting one since the lawyer wasn't well-liked. That's because he represented Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, two teenagers from a wealthy family who murdered a 14-year-old boy for fun. Nevertheless, it isn't a shocker that Howard considers him one of his heroes since he is more of a capitalist than a moralist. That he agrees with Howard's view is one of the reasons Chuck is the evil brother in Better Call Saul.
When Chuck Decides To Sue HHM
"In What World Is That Anything But The Deepest Betrayal Of Our Friendship?"
Tired of Chuck's reckless decisions, Howard suggests that he retire. He offers to pay him out of his contract, but Chuck decides to sue. This disappoints Howard.
It's perplexing that Howard would feel betrayed by Chuck's decision to sue, yet he has just kicked him out of a company he helped build. After all, Chuck was only trying to challenge the insurance company after they increased their rates because of his health condition. In reality, it's Howard that has betrayed Chuck, given how long they had been partners at the firm.
When He Offers Jimmy A Job At HHM After Chuck's Death
"Big Job At The Illustrious HHM. A Chance To Play At The Palace."
Howard bumps into Jimmy outside the courtroom after Chuck's death and offers him a job. However, Jimmy has no intention of accepting.
Howard's words show how highly he thinks of his own firm. Since Jimmy rose by being offered opportunities by his late brother Chuck, Howard figures that Jimmy is the kind of person who will always need help. However, he is wrong about that since Jimmy has great ambitions of his own, which get fulfilled rather quickly, thanks to his drive.
When He Randomly Checks On Jimmy
"This Is Not What 'Fine' Looks Like."
At around the same time that Chuck makes plans to sue HHM, Howard checks on Jimmy to find out how he is doing. Jimmy insists he is fine, but Howard doesn't believe him.
In as much as he enjoys tormenting him, Howard has always liked Jimmy because he is a go-getter. He even gives him the nickname "Charlie Hustle," which sums up his opinion of the man. Jimmy has plenty of frustrations but he isn't interested in opening his heart to Jimmy because, given their history, he doesn't believe the HHM has his best interests at heart.
When He Vents To Kim About Damage Control
"I'm Doing Damage Control. And I'm Doing 3 Meals A Day For The Past 2 Weeks With Every One Of Our Clients!"
Howard isn't happy when Jimmy tries to destroy HHM's reputation. When he bumps into Kim outside a restaurant, he laments how is being forced to spend most of his days having meals with different clients so as to reassure them everything is okay.
Howard chooses to air out his frustrations to Kim instead of Jimmy directly because he knows she is a medium through which she can get to him. She also tends to be more agreeable and is a good listener compared to Jimmy. Unfortunately for him, Kim isn't willing to listen because she always sides with Jimmy first above everybody else, no matter how wrong he is.
When Kim Comes To Complain About Jimmy Being Snubbed
"Duly Noted. Want To Know What I Believe? I Believe You're Way Out Of Your Depth In This Matter."
Kim walks into Howard's office to confront him when he refuses to hire Jimmy. She insists that he is a good and hardworking lawyer, but Howard will hear none of it.
Kim has every right to be angry because the reason Howard has cited for not hiring Jimmy is a lame one. He claims it would be nepotism since Jimmy's brother has already been a major part of the firm. That doesn't make sense because Howard's father was also a major part of the firm a few years back. This is something Km makes clear to him, highlighting his hypocrisy.
Declining To Give Jimmy A Job
"We Want The Case, We Don't Want, Um ... The Case Is All We Want."
Jimmy believes he has earned himself an employment opportunity when he hands over the Sandpiper case to HHM. Unfortunately, Howard rejects him.
It's classic Howard to suck in a case and spit out the person that brought it. The ability to take such actions with ease is what makes him one of the most powerful characters in Better Call Saul. His decision is made much easier since the person in question is Jimmy. Luckily, Jimmy has acquired more financial power over time, making him less attached to people like Howard.