Created by the award-winning production team of Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, this series echoed several aspects of its predecessor, Hill Street Blues. Namely tremendous ensemble acting, sophisticated continuing storylines and fine scripting.
Centred on courtroom theatrics and law office intrigue, with a mix of comedy and drama, LA Law revolved around the law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, which handled both criminal and civil cases.
Leland McKenzie (Richard Dysart) was the paternal senior partner, Douglas Brackman Jr (Alan Rachins) the penny-pinching, egocentric, balding son of one of the founding partners, and Michael Kuzak (Harry Hamlin) the hard-working, compassionate litigation partner. Chaney died in the opening episode.
Working with them were litigation partner Ann Kelsey (Jill Eikenberry), tax partner (and Ann’s future husband) Stuart Markowitz (Michael Tucker), and the philandering divorce partner, Arnie Becker (Corbin Bernsen).
Also on the team were their associates, the Hispanic Victor Sifuentes (Jimmy Smits), who had been brought into the firm to satisfy racial quotas, new arrival Abby Perkins (Michele Greene), and Roxanne Melman (Susan Ruttan), Becker’s secretary.
Grace Van Owen was Kuzak’s Deputy DA girlfriend (played by Susan Dey of Partridge Familyfame) who sometimes had to oppose him in the courtroom.
Jonathan Rollins (Blair Underwood) – the firm’s first black lawyer – and mentally challenged office boy Benny Stulwicz (Larry Drake, who won an Emmy for his performance) were added later.
Political and romantic ambitions often punctuated the company’s legal activities, with associates vying to become partners and workmates trying to become bedmates. After learning she wasn’t on the partnership track, Abby set up on her own but found life hard away from the practice and soon returned.
New litigator Roz Shays (Diana Muldaur) was brought in and proved too disruptive before she fell into an empty elevator shaft and was killed. Grace became a judge but decided she preferred attorney work and packed it in to join the firm.
Later, Kuzak left to form his own company, resulting in a name change for the firm to McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Becker, and the arrival of three new attorneys. They were freelancer Tommy Mullaney (John Spencer), his former wife, Zoey (Cecil Hoffman), and English litigation lawyer, CJ Lamb (Amada Donohoe).
Combining soapy storylines with responsible handling of touchy subjects like AIDS and racial abuse, LA Law also proved that TV lawyers were not infallible.
Like the cops on Hill Street, the legal eagles in LA were not always successful, but the show received rave reviews, critical acclaim and an impressive five Emmys all in its first season.
Late in 1987, cocreators Fisher and Bochco had a less-than-amiable parting of the ways, which resulted in Fisher filing a $50 million lawsuit against her former partner. The case was settled in 1988.
Leland McKenzie Richard Dysart
Douglas Brackman Jr
Alan Rachins
Michael Kuzak
Harry Hamlin
Arnie Becker
Corbin Bernsen
Grace Van Owen
Susan Dey
Ann Kelsey
Jill Eikenberry
Stuart Markowitz
Michael Tucker
Victor Sifuentes
Jimmy Smits
Abby Perkins
Michele Greene
Roxanne Melman
Susan Ruttan
Benny Stulwicz
Larry Drake
Jonathan Rollins
Blair Underwood
Dave Meyer
Dann Florek
Rosalind Shays
Diana Muldaur
Cara Jean ‘CJ’ Lamb
Amada Donohoe
Tommy Mullaney
John Spencer
Zoey Clemmons
Cecil Hoffman
Video
You May Also Like
Blue Light 1 9 6 6 (USA) 17 x 30 minute episodes Set in World War II, crooner Robert…
House of Caradus 1 9 7 8 (UK) 7 x 60 minute episodes This drama series from Granada Television…
South Beach 1 9 9 3 (USA) 1 x 120 minute episodes 6 x 60 minute episodes Kate Patrick…
Skyport 1 9 5 9 - 1 9 6 0 (UK) 52 x 30 minute episodes As real…
Outlaws, The 1 9 6 0 - 1 9 6 2 (USA) 50 x 60 minute episodes The Outlaws (from…
