Just Legal (2005– )

A look at the relationship between two lawyers: a young prodigy (Baruchel) and his mentor (Johnson), a jaded defense attorney.

Stars:

Don Johnson, Jay Baruchel, Jaime Lee Kirchner

Cast

Series cast summary:
Don Johnson	...	Grant Cooper (8 episodes, 2005-2006)
Jay Baruchel	...	Skip Ross (8 episodes, 2005-2006)
Jaime Lee Kirchner	...	Dulcinea 'Dee' Real (7 episodes, 2005-2006)
Susan Ward	...	Kate Manat (7 episodes, 2005-2006)
S. Zev Esquenazi	...	Sheriff Hawk (6 episodes, 2005-2006)
Reiley McClendon	...	Tom Ross (5 episodes, 2005-2006)

Storyline

Skip Ross graduated from law school with honors at 19, only to find no firm will let him do all what he, in youthful naivety, wants: plead so justice be done in court. So the prodigy accepts a partnership with his antipode: Grant Cooper has the worst reputation and honor nor reputation. In every case Grant's cynical, pessimistic pragmatism clashes with Skip's simplistically noble virtue and legal brilliance. Yet their LA clients, usually too poor to afford a decent firm, are served surprisingly well. Kate Manat, second only to him in class, chose a subservient, well-paid job in a prestigious firm, but envies Skip being a trial lawyer.

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Plot Keywords:

los angeles california | trial | law firm

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

First-run episodes aired on the WB attracted an audience averaging 50 years; the network, seeking a much younger demographic, quickly canceled the show.

User Reviews

Another promising show gone too soon

I just returned from the U.S. a few days ago where I was able to witness episode No 2 of this ill-fated new court drama.

Don Johnson really does a great job here. Unlike in his recent Vietnam war drama "Word of Honor", his portrayal of burnt-out defense lawyer Grant Cooper strongly reminded me of Det. Sonny Crockett of Miami Vice fame - gritty, disillusioned, world-weary at times , yet with great passion for his trade. That's a huge plus for a die-hard "Vice" fan like myself, and it made the episode very enjoyable from beginning to end.

As for the show itself, it has been criticized for adding nothing substantially new to the world of court drama - the cases allegedly being too straightforward, no brain teasers, no twists... but then again, "Just Legal" makes up for that with solid old-fashioned storytelling (don't call it run-of-the-mill because it really isn't!), nice California scenery throughout, and good chemistry between the main characters. Everything about the show was a good place to start. The potential was definitely there.

Just a little over twenty years ago, Miami Vice entered its second season. Its first-season ratings had sagged notably after a mostly appreciated pilot, but then soared during the '85 summer reruns and continued on a high level well into season three. But that was 20 years ago, looks like network executives are no longer willing to take any risks. Their loss, but sadly, ours even more.