Kuzak lets his anti-smoking feelings enter into his latest civil case involving a man dying from emphysema who is suing a tobacco company. Meanwhile, Becker's position as the lawyer for a man being divorced by a wealthy film star calls for some close personal negotiations with the lady. Victor experiences nothing but bad luck after leasing an expensive new sports car that repeating gets broken into and eventually stolen. Jonathan Rollins, a young black lawyer and prospective new associate, pumps Abby for information about the firm. Also, Kelsey's anxiety over her upcoming wedding to Markowitz surfaces in bickering between them.

Kelsey represents Julius Goldfarb, a former TV actor consumed by his crime fighting alter ego, the Salamander. Becker has a very happy birthday when he invites Judge Monica Ryan to spend it with him. But later, a deranged gunman holds Judge Ryan, Becker, and a whole courtroom hostage during a custody dispute with his ex-wife. Meanwhile, Victor stomps briefly before setting out on his case to meet with the twins involved in a civil claim. Markowitz tries to help Roxanne get through her monumental tax problem and forces her to declare bankruptcy. Brackman tries to confine in McKenzie about his home situation.

Kuzak learns that Richard Mathers, the opposing counsel in his latest personal injury case which involved a new car, never passed the bar exam. However, Kuzak decides to use this information to his own advantage. Meanwhile, Kelsey and Markowitz grow increasingly wearily of trying to conceive and they begin talk of adoption. While Brackman is going over the final divorce settlement from Sheila, he hires Dorothy Wyler, a 52-year-old lawyer as an associate and who too is a divorcée. Abby, still frightened after her shooting of Holland, allows Police Lieutenant Bill Ringstrom to comfort her and accompany her to a interview a hostile witness.

Rollins represents Kenny Peterson, a mentally disturbed young man who speaks only through his obnoxious, ventriloquist's dummy in an assault case. Meanwhile, Kelsey's celebrity client, Amanda Shaw, sues a tabloid magazine for publishing a false article which resulted in her teenage daughter's suicide and she ends up worse than she started. Markowitz and Kelsey meet with Ross Burnett, a baby broker in their continuing quest to adopt a baby. Victor represents an unusually arrogant Kuzak as he faces a disciplinary court for his conduct over not reporting an unlicensed Richard Mathers during his personal injury trial while Mathers is representing himself in his own criminal trial for practicing law without a license. Also, Markowitz agrees to cater the annual Christmas office party and ends up playing Santa Claus.