After being turned down for a job at every major law firm, young attorney David "Skip" Ross takes a position with has-been attorney Grant Cooper in Venice, California. While Skip is idealistic and full of hope in the legal system, Cooper is an alcoholic who has been jaded by what he has seen in the system. Together, the two must balance out their different attitudes and help each other to become a great legal team.
Cooper and Skip defend a young black man who was arrested and charged with murder and robbery using race and proximity. Skip's attempt to use a psychological tactic about racial makeups ends up backfiring on the case. Meanwhile, former convicted murderer Dee Real is put to work as the duo's receptionist and Skip has a chance encounter with a law school classmate, now doing well, he was attracted to.
Cooper and Skip take on the case of a woman paralyzed by a plastic surgery procedure. After the defense accrues a slew of expert witnesses and hopes to discredit her, Skip decides to solicit the help of Kate, as her firm is the defense’s law firm.
Cooper and Skip take on the case of a young realtor who has a dead body found in the trunk of his car. When the defendant is put in prison where he is beaten, the duo works to spring him but is unable, despite the fact that there is no evidence linking him to the murder.
Cooper and Skip take on a big case in which a man accused of murdering his wife, one that might bring them some media press and more clients down the line. Cooper and Chase's promises to the accused help him pick their services over more established firms, but the two are soon faced with the task of giving their tarnished client some seriously good spin.
Skip and Dee take on the case of a he said-she said college campus rape. When the woman, Skip's client, says her ex-boyfriend is the rapist, she gets help from another victim who says he's done this before.
Skip and Cooper investigate the case of a young man accused of killing his best friend and then stuffing him in a locker.
An illegal immigrant from the Philippines, who doesn't speak a word of English, is the lone suspect in a case of murder of a young waitress at Cooper's favorite Bar. Cooper and Skip defend the boy and take up the case. Cooper gets arrested for obstruction-of-justice when he slaps his client and lands in Jail. To add insult to injury Leeza Lynch steps in to prosecute both cases.