Tells the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Fast-paced and darkly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law.

Emmy Award winners James Spader and William Shatner play Alan Shore and Denny Crane, unlikely kindred spirits among the brigade of high-priced litigators at Crane, Poole and Schmidt. In addition, one of the founding law partners, Shirley Schmidt (played by five-time Emmy winner Candice Bergen), has been coaxed back to the Boston law firm to help bring order to the chaotic office. She keeps a vigilant eye on all, particularly Denny Crane – with whom she has a checkered history.

The firm's other attorneys include Brad Chase (played by Mark Valley), an ex-Marine, who often finds himself in a test of wills with Alan Shore; and Paul Lewiston (played by Rene Auberjonois), the "lawyer's lawyer" who continually tries to save Crane from himself.