L.A. Law 

The lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.

Creators:

Steven Bochco, Terry Louise Fisher

Stars:

Corbin Bernsen, Jill Eikenberry, Alan Rachins

Won 5 Golden Globes. Another 40 wins & 147 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Corbin Bernsen	...	Arnie Becker 171 episodes, 1986-1994
Jill Eikenberry	...	Ann Kelsey 171 episodes, 1986-1994
Alan Rachins	...	Douglas Brackman, Jr. 171 episodes, 1986-1994
Michael Tucker	...	Stuart Markowitz 171 episodes, 1986-1994
Richard Dysart	...	Leland McKenzie 171 episodes, 1986-1994
Susan Ruttan	...	Roxanne Melman 150 episodes, 1986-1993
Blair Underwood	...	Jonathan Rollins 149 episodes, 1987-1994
Larry Drake	...	Benny Stulwicz 144 episodes, 1987-1994
Susan Dey	...	D.D.A. Grace Van Owen / ... 126 episodes, 1986-1992
Jimmy Smits	...	Victor Sifuentes 107 episodes, 1986-1992
Harry Hamlin	...	Michael Kuzak 105 episodes, 1986-1991
Michele Greene	...	Abby Perkins 105 episodes, 1986-1991
John Spencer	...	Tommy Mullaney / ... 83 episodes, 1990-1994

Storyline

This popular television drama depicted life in a large Los Angeles law firm. The plots were strongly character-based and dealt with the personal lives and professional activities of the partners, associates, and staff. Scenes centered around the courtroom and the law offices. Often, an episode would open with a surprising twist, which would then be played out during the rest of the show.

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Plot Keywords:

law | law office | courtroom | arrest warrant | client | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

L.A. Law

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

46 min (170 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (early episodes) Stereo (later episodes)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David E. Kelley was the head writer on this show. It was Kelley's feeling that this show was unrealistic, and tended to glamorize the law, and deify lawyers. Kelley created The Practice (1997), which was a grittier, less sexy, and flattering portrait of the law, as a direct response to this show.

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Quotes

Douglas Brackman, Jr.: I'm more like my father than I thought. I wanted to be the lawyer he was, the man he was. Turns out we both just like to cheat on our wives.

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Connections

Referenced in 30 Rock: Respawn (2011)

User Reviews

At Its Best There Were Few Better

This was a seminal show -- probably the first "lawyer show" that wasn't really a detective program in disguise. L.A. Law introduced us to many of the particulars of a law firm: The staff meeting, administrative hearings, appellate court argument, as well as almost all aspects of criminal and CIVIL litigation. It was an amazing program that, when it focused on the intriguing cases that came to the firm, was arguably the best show on television in the late 80s and early 90s. If I recall correctly only Hill Street Blues, The West Wing, and L.A. Law won 4 Emmys for best drama (now maybe Mad Men?). There's a reason this show ranks in the upper echelon of television dramas.

To be fair to its critics, however, I can't remember ANY program that was this good that, almost abruptly, became so bad! Although I continued to watch it until the end, it was hit-and-miss at best, and sometimes just plain terrible after the fifth season.