Kuzak has to battle racial prejudice and too much media coverage as he tries to defend Earl Williams, a black college professor against charges that he murdered a white college co-ed who was his lover Nina Corry. Meanwhile, a domineering Grace earns the devotion of an insurance claims adjuster she is prosecuting for fraud, who gets turned on by S&M. Becker finds himself inspired in negotiation a settlement for his latest divorce client, Corrinne Hammond. Also, McKenzie asks Victor to give advice to Benny on the niceties of safe sex.

The Earl Williams murder trial continues as Kuzak tries to evaluate witnesses sympathetic to Earl Williams as the case draws to a close. But then, Kuzak makes the colossal mistake of putting Earl Williams on the witness stand where after Kuzak's gentle direct examination, the aggressive prosecutor, Margaret Flanagan, grills Williams about his past domestic abuse to provoke a violent reaction from him. Earl Williams' arrogant and defensive behavior on the witness stand dooms him to a quick conviction from the conservative and predominately white jury. Meanwhile, Becker tries to clear the air with Corrinne over his actions during her divorce and they get close fast while Becker is drawn to her 8 year old daughter, Chloe. Rollins takes on an insurance company on behalf of an elderly lady and gets some help from Brackman. Also, McKenzie scares Diana during a law class when he disapproves of her dating co-workers, which includes Rollins.

Kuzak goes the final mile as tries to lighten the sentence on Earl Williams, who is facing the death penalty after being convicted of murder. Meanwhile, Markowitz loses his cool when Kelsey goes into labor early and 20 hours later give birth to a baby boy. Benny celebrates the Christmas holidays by planning to propose to Alice and asks both Becker and Leo Hackett on advice on how to do so. Also, Becker faces the holidays alone when Corrinne decides to let Chloe's father spend the weekend with them at her home, and Victor plays Santa at the annual office Christmas party.

Kuzak represents a gay former policeman suing a journalist who "outed" his homosexuality without permission. After Rosalind resigns from the firm, McKenzie seeks another star litigator and hires Grace Van Owen who resigns her judgeship. Meanwhile, Benny becomes jealous when Alice kisses another man and breaks off their engagement. Becker proposes to Corrinne, but ends up having a one-night-stand with his temporary secretary, Gwen Taylor.

Victor is moved by a mother's pleas and agrees to make an emotional appeal for clemency for Hector Rodriguez, a old friend on death row facing execution. Meanwhile, Grace tackles her first case for the firm in defending an elderly man for the mercy killing of his wife who was dying from Alzheimer's Disease. Kelsey represents a frustrated Chicago Bears fan who is suing the team's staff. Kuzak's plans to leave the firm suddenly change when his father decides to come live his last days in Los Angeles. Also, Becker worries about his past life and about his mother's advice as he prepares to marry Corrinne.

Rosalind Shays returns with an equally ruthless and manipulative lawyer, Jack Sollers, to sue the firm for sexual discrimination. Markowitz suffers a heart attack during the trial and is put on leave. Meanwhile, Kuzak faces Darron Holloway, an angry, civil-rights black activist inciting the press and the public while he takes the case of defending Brian Chisolm, a white policeman accused of shooting a black youth. Also, Roxanne has more problems with her father, Murray, when she tells him that he has Alzheimer's Disease.

Brackman takes temporary charge of the firm after McKenzie passes it to him. Meanwhile, Grace appears before an unsympathetic military tribunal to defend a soldier who refused to shoot at civilians during the December 1989 Invasion of Panama. Corrinne throws Becker out of her house after learning of his infidelities from Roxanne, and Becker retaliates by firing her. Also, C.J. represents a couple and the owners of a reputed haunted house who are suing the real estate broker for selling it to them.

Kuzak has his hands full in defending a murder suspect with multiple personalities who is being prosecuted by Zoey Clemmons, Mullaney's young ex-wife. Meanwhile, McKenzie seeks help from Rosalind in keeping a major client with saving his company from a hostile takeover. Mullaney represents Becker in his divorce with Corrinne, with Roxanne subpoenaed who reveals everything about Becker's flings with other women, including Gwen. Brackman makes Roxanne the new office administrator. After C.J. defends Abby's recent legal actions to Brackman, they go out to dinner where afterwords, Abby becomes sexually confused after she and C.J. share a romantic kiss.