Why do jimmy and kim hate howard

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler's hatred for Howard Hamlin stems from their perception that he represents the corrupt, elitist legal system that has repeatedly wronged them. This animosity intensified in 2002 when Howard, as managing partner of Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM), blocked Jimmy from joining the firm despite his law degree and contributions. Their resentment peaked in 2004 when Howard fired Kim from HHM for defending Jimmy, and he later became a symbol of the establishment that denied Jimmy's legitimate legal career while profiting from his brother Chuck's work.

Key Facts

Jimmy McGill earned his law degree in 2002 but was denied a position at HHM by Howard
Howard fired Kim Wexler from HHM in 2004 for defending Jimmy against the firm
Howard represented Chuck McGill in disbarment proceedings against Jimmy in 2002
Jimmy and Kim's scheme to ruin Howard's reputation began in 2004
Howard's death in 2005 was indirectly caused by the fallout from Jimmy and Kim's actions

Overview

The conflict between Jimmy McGill (later Saul Goodman), Kim Wexler, and Howard Hamlin forms a central narrative in the television series Better Call Saul (2015-2022), a prequel to Breaking Bad. Howard served as managing partner of the prestigious Albuquerque law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM), where Kim worked as an associate and Jimmy's brother Chuck was a name partner. Jimmy, a former con artist turned lawyer, earned his law degree through correspondence courses in 2002 but faced immediate rejection from HHM despite his legitimate qualifications. Howard became the face of this rejection, enforcing Chuck's belief that Jimmy was unfit for their elite legal world. The personal and professional dynamics created a perfect storm: Howard represented the establishment that denied Jimmy recognition, while Kim, who rose from HHM's mailroom to become a skilled attorney, witnessed firsthand how the firm's politics punished merit and loyalty.

How It Works

Jimmy and Kim's hatred operates through layered psychological and professional mechanisms. First, projection: Howard becomes a convenient target for their frustrations with the entire legal system, despite his relatively minor personal faults. Second, economic resentment: Jimmy sees Howard profiting from Chuck's work while denying him opportunities, creating financial injustice. Third, professional humiliation: Howard's polite but firm rejections (like offering Jimmy a lowly document review job in 2002) felt like personal insults. Fourth, relationship dynamics: Kim's firing in 2004 for defending Jimmy transformed Howard from a difficult boss into an active antagonist. Their hatred manifested through elaborate schemes, most notably their 2004 plan to sabotage Howard's career by making him appear unstable—planting drugs, manipulating his schedule, and framing him for misconduct. This escalation followed classic conflict spiral patterns where each side's actions justified more extreme responses from the other.

Why It Matters

This conflict matters because it demonstrates how systemic injustice can distort personal relationships and ethics. Jimmy and Kim's hatred for Howard represents a broader critique of elitism in legal professions, where pedigree often trumps merit. Their escalating actions—from minor pranks to career-destroying schemes—show how resentment can consume otherwise moral people, ultimately contributing to Howard's tragic death in 2005 when a drug cartel associate mistook him for someone else. The storyline explores themes of class resentment, professional gatekeeping, and how institutions can turn colleagues into enemies. It serves as crucial backstory explaining Jimmy's transformation into the criminal lawyer Saul Goodman, showing how legitimate grievances can spiral into destructive behavior with real-world consequences.