The firm worries about its reputation when Kittredge takes a high-profile criminal case of defending a mobster leader for allegedly murdering a rival mob leader and the new D.A., Ruby Thomas, becomes determined to see the case won at any cost. Meanwhile, Markowitz takes a rare court deposition in representing two women basketball players suing the Hollywood Hoopsters for wrongful termination.

Grace receives a lot of hostility from her female colleagues when she defends a college baseball player accused of date rape. Meanwhile, Alex DePalma becomes embroiled in a complex courtroom sting operation headed by Ruby Thomas to nail a corrupt judge. Roxanne and Becker's tentative relationship is nearly capsized by Julie's revelations to her. Also, Markowitz gets Sarah a job at the firm with Kelsey's tentative approval.

Due to the stress of her return to work, Zoey opts to be out of the D.A.'s office and decides to leave L.A., and Mullaney. Meanwhile, Rollins' campaign sinks lower and lower as the election draws near. Becker looks inward to his future, but Roxanne sees just the same old Becker. In jail, Brackman learns about his new life from behind the bars. Markowitz is slow to heal and frustrations set in for him and Kelsey. Mullaney becomes aroused in his first case for the D.A.'s office in prosecuting a man in a child-abuse case, who is being defended by a nun lawyer.

Rollins represents a man who is fighting to keep his pregnant girlfriend, put in a coma after a car accident, on life-support so their unborn child can be brought to full-term. Meanwhile, Morales finds himself inadvertently holding a piece of evidence in a murder case. Gwen's stalker continues lurking in the hallways and stairwells of the firm and takes advantage of Morales' legal trouble to kidnap his infant daughter Lucy. Mullaney's frail, estranged, alcoholic father pays an unexpected and unwelcome visit to him and Roxanne to reveal startling news about himself. Also, Markowitz's assault case is settled after he has an attack of conscience and lets his two attackers get off lightly, but Kelsey is not satisfied.