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.

Kuzak sets his sights on Deputy D.A. Grace Van Owen while he helps Victor defend a Hispanic man from an assault charge after he became enraged when his son's killer, a wealthy man, was set free on a legal technicality. Meanwhile, Kelsey faces criticism from Brackman when she turns down a large insurance settlement for her pro-bono client. Andrew Taylor, a disgruntled associate, tells the senior partner, Leland McKenzie, and Brackman what he thinks of the firm's hiring policies as they pursue the hiring of Victor. Stuart Markowitz, the firm's tax specialist, tries to get Kelsey's attention. At the reading of Chaney's will, Georgia Buckner inherits the majority of his wealth, and Brackman gets Chaney's own personal secretary, Hilda. Abby asks Becker to represent her in suing for divorce from her abusive husband. After Andrew Taylor quits the firm and law clerk Bruce Pollak leaves, Abby is named a full-time associate. Also, Becker also insists to the partners for the dismissal of law clerk Lisa Weston, his secret girlfriend.

McKenzie takes a dim view of future lawyers after his guest lecture at a law school which is filled by questions from the students dominated by self-interest. McKenzie's secretary, Iris, takes a dim view of her future with the firm and of the new law clerk, Jeffrey Sullivan, whom McKenzie hires. Meanwhile, Irving Lewis follows Becker's advice concerning his divorce, then blames him when his young wife won't return to him. Victor goes to bat for a young girl facing charges after she shot her brother who tried to rape her. Kuzak meets with Grace's fiancé while continuing to try to win her affections, and Markowitz wows Kelsey with his private life. Abby tries to continue working despite not knowing the whereabouts of her son.

The Stacey Gill civil suit continues when she baffles Kuzak by rejecting a generous settlement from her former employer. Meanwhile, Victor bets Kuzak his leather office chair that he can win in a no-win dog bite case. Abby meets with another lawyer in the building who takes her out on a date and tries to persuade her to go on with her life. Also, Becker turns to his secretary, Roxanne, for comfort when Hilary Mishkin leaves him. A fully restored Brackman comes to peace terms with his tenants and Andrew Taylor.