Kuzak stands firm against capital punishment for a convicted rapist/murderer, despite persuasive arguments that his client will kill again if released pending a new trial. Meanwhile, Becker becomes caught in the middle of his parents divorce action when both his mother and father ask him to represent them against the other and Roxanne eventually rescues him from the mess of this situation. McKenzie indirectly forces Victor to withdraw from an unpopular case in which Victor threatens to quit. Grace hands Mark Gilliam, Appleton's lawyer, new defense grounds for a new trial in the AIDS mercy-killing case. Also, Abby brings a stray dog to work which causes nothing but problems, and Brackman eventually adopts it.

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.

A desperate Kuzak sweats out of preparations for his appeal before the California Supreme Court in a final attempt to overturn the conviction on Earl Williams on a technicality. Meanwhile, Rollins becomes upset when Rosalind brings in another big client; a factory with substantial South African holdings. Also, Becker's new client is Al Vogel, the bitter ex-husband of a TV newswoman who threatens to go public with a pornographic video tape of her.

Kelsey faces disbarment for revealing knowledge of her former client Suzanne Hamil's murder obtained through attorney-client privilege. Victor, now an independent lawyer, is representing his old friend Mark Gilliam, an AIDS-stricken lawyer, suing an insurer for not providing coverage for his medical needs, while he and Grace finally marry. Meanwhile, Becker tells Roxanne that he has feelings for her and they end up falling through the ceiling while engaged in a little romp. Abby is finally made a partner, and McKenzie inherits Rosalind Shays' estate.