97 minutes
9/15/1986
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.
Richard Dysart
as Leland McKenzie
Alan Rachins
as Douglas Brackman, Jr.
Corbin Bernsen
as Arnold Becker
Jill Eikenberry
as Ann Kelsey
Michael Tucker
as Stuart Markowitz
Susan Ruttan
as Roxanne Melman
Harry Hamlin
as Michael Kuzak
Susan Dey
as Grace Van Owen
Jimmy Smits
as Victor Sifuentes
Michele Greene
as Abby Perkins
Alfre Woodard
as Adrianne Moore
Joe Pantoliano
as Ralph Cavanaugh
Shannon Wilcox
as Lydia Graham
Tom O'Brien
as Justin Pregerson
Juanin Clay
as Judge Alice Ratakowsky
Robert Knepper
as Georgia/George Buckner