Network: USA Network
Episodes: 23 (hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: January 20, 2011 — June 15, 2012
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Sarah Shahi, Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams, Baron Vaughn, and Ryan Johnson.
TV show description:
Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi) is a firm believer that justice can always be found — even if it’s not always in the courtroom. Once a lawyer at her family’s esteemed San Francisco firm, Kate’s frustration with the legal system led her to a new career as a mediator.
Now a partner in the law firm founded by her late father, Kate is smart, passionate, and an expert in the art of alternative dispute resolution. Unfortunately, Kate clashes constantly with her partners at Reed & Reed, particularly her steely stepmother Lauren and ambitious up-and-coming attorney Ben.
Though decades younger than her late husband, Teddy Reed, attorney Lauren Reed (Virginia Williams) was no trophy wife. Now that Teddy’s passing has left her the managing partner of Reed & Reed, she’s the one holding the reigns at the respected firm — much to her defiant stepdaughter Kate’s chagrin-and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep Reed & Reed afloat. And though often the meticulous, tightly-wound, and sometimes chilly yin to Kate’s freewheeling yang, Lauren is slowly beginning to find her footing at the firm and prove that there’s a lot more to her than a sleek chignon and a steely gaze.
Money-hungry and a fixture on San Francisco bus ads, flashy up-and-coming lawyer Ben Grogan (Ryan Johnson) is the newest addition to Reed & Reed. After Ben made Lauren an offer she couldn’t refuse, Kate finds herself with a new partner — one who seemingly has no shame, no scruples, and no mute button. Ben’s cash and client list might be the only thing that can save Reed & Reed.
Luckily for Kate, she’s got a resourceful assistant at the office to back her up. Leonardo “Leo” Prince (Baron Vaughn) is unflappable and has the uncanny ability to anticipate Kate’s needs. Dedicated to his harried boss and supportive of her at-times unconventional methods, Leo believes in his work and is proud to help Kate make the world a better place.
Kate’s personal life is no less complicated than her professional one, thanks to an on-again, off-again relationship with ex-husband Justin.
An Assistant District Attorney for the City of San Francisco, Justin Patrick (Michael Trucco) sees the world-and the law-in black and white. His considerable faith in the legal system is a viewpoint completely different from Kate’s. This conflict results in regular bouts of philosophical warfare between the two. Justin’s principles are not as endearing to his less scrupulous boss, the San Francisco D.A., but no amount of pressure will stop Justin from standing up for what he believes in.
Episode 23 — Finale
When Kate handles a mediation between the RTN news network and two former employees who claim they were fired because of their sexual orientation, she discovers that the network may have in fact fired them to cover up a story one of the women was investigating. Which begs the question: who is RTN trying to protect?
Kate, Ben and the RTN researcher, Rachel, start digging into the story, a dirty real estate deal between the city and a developer called Selex, and make a very surprising discovery: Aaron Davidson, Justin’s shady boss and opponent in the District Attorney race, was somehow involved.
But in order to take Davidson down, they’re going to need real proof. As it happens, there is someone who can get them the records they need from Selex: Robin Archer. Although he agrees to help in an attempt to woo Lauren back, Kate can tell he’s hiding something. And when Lauren gets a visit from the FBI, it becomes clear that Kate’s not the only one wondering what’s really going on with the mysterious billionaire.
As for what’s going on with Kate’s love life, that’s just as murky. Justin is ready to take their rekindled relationship to the next level, but with Kate’s doubts mounting and Ben still waiting in the wings, her romantic future may be more uncertain than ever.
First aired: June 15, 2012
What do you think? Do you like the Fairly Legal TV series? Are you sorry to hear that it’s been cancelled and that there won’t be a third season?
We absolutely LOVED Fairly Legal and are very very sad that the show was cancelled.
Sarah was outstanding and we began to see the beauty of Lauren and were so looking forward to a third season of wonderful viewing.
I know the show dropped from 3pkus Million to 2.plus million but Hey the 2.plus of us really really loved it. Unfair!!!
Just want to let you know that I am still bummed about this show being cancelled.
I can’t believe the network cancelled this show – I really enjoyed the interaction between the characters. Please bring it back – very disappointed viewer from Australia
I was very disappointed that this show has been cancelled. Looked forward to it every week and now we don’t know what the final series will bring. Everyone’s magic worked off each other and i grew to love the banter between all the actors. Please bring the show back. Leanne from Australia.
So since they cancelled your season 3 and left us all hanging is there any way to find out what happened further into the story? There was a lot left to see and I am so very disappointed that it had been cancelled and left hanging as well. This happens all to often to the really great shows.
Also, even if it gets cancelled you should continue series and make it available on DVD for people to buy, just like Crossing Jordan and Women’s Murder Club etc etc etc….. We keep having great shows cancelled and left with garbage shows.
Very dissapointed was a great show please bring back
I really looked forward every week to watch this show. It was a big shock that it did not return the next season. Why USA? Is there any way you may change your mind and bring it back?? great shows like this are truly missed.