Pilot episode for the TV series introduces the lawyers and employees of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, a Los Angeles law firm, in dealing with their courtroom cases and personal matters out of the courthouse. While the entire office deals with the unexpected death of one of the founding senior partners, Norman Chaney, junior partner Michael Kuzak reluctantly takes on the defense of a wealthy and spoiled young man, accused with two friends, of raping a woman dying from leukemia. While intern Abby Perkins deals with her abusive alcoholic husband, divorce lawyer Arnie Becker takes advantage of his latest client caught up in her divorce. Public defender Victor Sifuentes is also offered to join the firm, while the ruthless managing partner, Douglas Brackman, deals with a surprising revelation from his new secretary.

New associate, Patrick Flanagan, throws his weight around the firm, charming everyone with his friendliness and even helps get Brackman and Sheila's son, Alexander, into an exclusive prep school. But he shows his true hidden and unwholesome colors when he crosses Becker while assisting him in a civil case of a woman suing her ex-husband for allegedly molesting their daughter when Flanagan persuades Becker's client not to testify and blackmails the opposing counsel for a large settlement, which incurs the wrath of Mullaney on Becker after the devious Flanagan places the blame on Becker. Meanwhile, Rollins' case puts him between a young model and her over-protective father, who is suing her for beach of contract.