Criminal Lawyer is a 1937 American drama film directed by Christy Cabanne from a screenplay by G. V. Atwater and Thomas Lennon, based on a story by Louis Stevens.

It was the second time Stevens' story had been used for a film, the first being 1932's State's Attorney, starring John Barrymore and Helen Twelvetrees, directed by George Archainbaud, and also produced and released by RKO.

While in court defending one of his criminal clients, Gene Larkin, he sees a young woman on trial for prostitution, Madge Carter.

Knowing her to be framed for the activity by a man who is notorious for “fingering” women in order to get the reward, he defends her for free.

With eyes on the governorship, he becomes romantically involved with Betty Walker, whose father has deep political connections, even though Brandon is in love with Madge.

Crushed, Madge goes to Larkin's office late at night to ask him to cash a check for her so she can leave town.

He pulls her back into his office, threatens to kill Brandon and expose his earlier nefarious tactics as a defense attorney.

Before Larkin can take the stand, Brandon confesses in open court to his past illegal tactics as a defense attorney.

[1]) In 1932, RKO had produced a film titled State's Attorney, starring John Barrymore and Helen Twelvetrees.

[2] In 1937, the studio decided to remake the film, and this time gave Stevens' story to Thomas Lennon to write the script.

The magazine also mentioned the quality of the performance of the other players in the film, including Grahame, Cianelli, Lawford, Rhodes, Thomas, Lucas, and Stack.

They felt the script by Lennon and Atwater was "well knit", and that Cabanne's direction kept the film moving and suspenseful.