The Practice 

We follow the exploits and cases of defense attorneys of a Boston law firm. Bobby Donnell is the senior defense attorney and founder of the firm.

Creator:

David E. Kelley

Stars:

Dylan McDermott, Kelli Williams, Lara Flynn Boyle

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 55 wins & 113 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Steve Harris	...	Eugene Young 167 episodes, 1997-2004
Camryn Manheim	...	Ellenor Frutt 167 episodes, 1997-2004
Michael Badalucco	...	Jimmy Berluti 166 episodes, 1997-2004
Dylan McDermott	...	Bobby Donnell 147 episodes, 1997-2004
LisaGay Hamilton	...	Rebecca Washington 145 episodes, 1997-2003
Kelli Williams	...	Lindsay Dole 145 episodes, 1997-2003
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Helen Gamble / ... 132 episodes, 1997-2003
Marla Sokoloff	...	Lucy Hatcher 113 episodes, 1998-2004

Storyline

Bobby Donnell is the head of a struggling Boston law firm that seems to constantly struggle with ethical themes while defending murderers, rapists, etc. Jimmy, Eugene, Ellenor and Lindsay are junior attorneys with the firm, the streetwise receptionist, and Helen the firm's frequent adversary with the D.A.'s office in this smart and clever weekly series.

---

Plot Keywords:

attorney | defense attorney | law | client | judge's chambers | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

---

Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Practice

Filming Locations:

Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios - 1600 Rosecrans Avenue, Manhattan Beach, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

David E. Kelley Productions, Daydreamers Entertainment Inc., Decode Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (168 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After the big cast layoff in season 7, when most of the cast was fired, (Dylan McDermott, Kelly Williams, Marla Sokoloff, and Lisa Gay Hamilton), the only two characters/actors of that deposed group to come back were Marla Sokoloff, whose Lucy character would then re-emerge several times in Seasons 7 and 8, and Dylan Mcdermott, whose Bobby Donnell character showed up for the finale episode where he was featured again, after sitting out for two seasons.

---

Quotes

[after Jimmy has burst into his apartment with the police only to find Judge Kittleson standing there naked]
Jimmy Berluti: What?
Judge Roberta Kittleson: I came to surprise you.
Jimmy Berluti: Oh... it worked.

---

Crazy Credits

Starting with the 2003 season, the order in which Steve Harris, Michael Badalucco and Camryn Manheim appear in the opening credits changes from week to week.

---

Connections

Featured in ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003)

User Reviews

Non-Courtroom Fans Take Note

I don't watch medical thrillers. I don't watch courtroom dramas.

Until now.

Fine acting, dialogue, and interesting legal situations--not to mention a slight sense of humor, perfectly blended with intense conflict--has hooked me into watching The Practice. I can't get enough of it. I never would have thought I'd get into a series about law.

It doesn't matter how you feel about courtroom dramas. This show is good television. I find myself glued to the TV on a daily basis, brought to tears on occasion. There is a humanity that runs through The Practice.

Since I'm not a law show buff, I can't say whether this one is better or worse than others. I'm simply a layman who finds himself tuning into FX every morning at 9:00 a.m.