This legal drama follows the cases of the attorneys at the prestigious Los Angeles law firm of Hoffman & Associates. Theodore “Ted” Hoffman is a defense attorney and the head of the firm. As the series begins, he has just cleared his client, billionaire Richard Cross (Stanley Tucci), of the murder of 15-year-old Jessica Costello (Collette White) who was found strangled to death in her bedroom.

Ted then signs on to represent movie actor Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick), Jessica’s boyfriend. Neil’s a frequent drug and alcohol user who has now been arrested and charged with Jessica’s murder. The first season follows Avedon’s trial as Ted works to save his client by providing other theories for Jessica’s murder, one of which involves Gary Blondo (John Pleshette), the producer from Avedon’s latest flick.

Working against Ted is the prosecution team of Miriam Grasso (Barbara Bosson) and Mark Washington (Markus Redmond), as well as Detective Arthur Polson (Dylan Baker) and District Attorney Robert Garfield (Gregory Itzin). The case garners a lot of press and Ted’s wife, Annie (Patricia Clarkson), tries to prevent their daughter Elizabeth (Vanessa Zima) from the public scrutiny.

Also taking on cases at the firm are ambitious Justine Appleton (Mary McCormack); second chair during the Avedon trial, Chris Doknovitch (Michael Hayden); intelligent but socially awkward Arnold Spivak (J.C. Mackenzie); and Ted’s second chair during the Richard Cross trial, Lisa Gillsepie. Louis Hines (John Fleck) keeps Ted’s schedule as his assistant and Lila (Vanessa Williams) is the firm’s receptionist. When the firm’s private investigator, Dave Blalock (Kevin Tighe), is murdered following up on a lead for the Avedon trial, Ray Velacek (Joe Spano) is hired to replace him.

After the trial, Ted leaves Hoffman & Associates to re-establish his relationship as a father and husband. Former assistant district attorney Jimmy Wyler (Anthony LaPaglia) takes over the firm in his absence.