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L.A. Law

  • TV Series
  • 1986–19941986–1994
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,359
426
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
L.A. Law (1986)
The lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.
Play trailer0:34
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
The lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.The lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.The lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,359
426
  • Creators
    • Steven Bochco
    • Terry Louise Fisher
  • Stars
    • Corbin Bernsen
    • Jill Eikenberry
    • Alan Rachins
Top credits
  • Creators
    • Steven Bochco
    • Terry Louise Fisher
  • Stars
    • Corbin Bernsen
    • Jill Eikenberry
    • Alan Rachins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 15 Primetime Emmys
      • 45 wins & 147 nominations total

    Episodes171

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos2

    L.A. Law
    Clip 0:39
    L.A. Law
    DVD Trailer - Season 1
    Trailer 0:34
    DVD Trailer - Season 1

    Photos502

    Jimmy Smits, Harry Hamlin, Blair Underwood, Larry Drake, Richard Dysart, Jill Eikenberry, Michele Greene, Alan Rachins, Susan Ruttan, and Michael Tucker in L.A. Law (1986)
    Amanda Donohoe as Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb
    Corbin Bernsen, Jimmy Smits, Harry Hamlin, Richard Dysart, and Jill Eikenberry in L.A. Law (1986)
    "L.A Law" Shelia Kelley
    "L.A. Law" Susan Dey, Harry Hamlin 1987 ABC
    "L.A. Law" Harry Hamlin, Jill Eikenberry, Corbin Bernsen 1987 ABC
    Conchata Ferrell in L.A. Law (1986)
    Conchata Ferrell, Michael Cumpsty, Sheila Kelley, and Tom Verica in L.A. Law (1986)
    Conchata Ferrell, Michael Cumpsty, Sheila Kelley, Tom Verica, Frank Kittredge, and Susan Bloom in L.A. Law (1986)
    L.A. Law (1986)
    Susan Dey in L.A. Law (1986)
    Kathy Bates in L.A. Law (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Corbin Bernsen
    Corbin Bernsen
    • Arnie Beckeras Arnie Becker
    171 episodes171 eps • 1986–1994
    Jill Eikenberry
    Jill Eikenberry
    • Ann Kelseyas Ann Kelsey
    171 episodes171 eps • 1986–1994
    Alan Rachins
    Alan Rachins
    • Douglas Brackman, Jr.as Douglas Brackman, Jr.
    171 episodes171 eps • 1986–1994
    Michael Tucker
    Michael Tucker
    • Stuart Markowitzas Stuart Markowitz
    171 episodes171 eps • 1986–1994
    Richard Dysart
    Richard Dysart
    • Leland McKenzieas Leland McKenzie
    171 episodes171 eps • 1986–1994
    Susan Ruttan
    Susan Ruttan
    • Roxanne Melmanas Roxanne Melman
    150 episodes150 eps • 1986–1993
    Blair Underwood
    Blair Underwood
    • Jonathan Rollinsas Jonathan Rollins
    149 episodes149 eps • 1987–1994
    Larry Drake
    Larry Drake
    • Benny Stulwiczas Benny Stulwicz
    144 episodes144 eps • 1987–1994
    Susan Dey
    Susan Dey
    • D.D.A. Grace Van Owenas D.D.A. Grace Van Owen…
    126 episodes126 eps • 1986–1992
    Jimmy Smits
    Jimmy Smits
    • Victor Sifuentesas Victor Sifuentes
    107 episodes107 eps • 1986–1992
    Harry Hamlin
    Harry Hamlin
    • Michael Kuzakas Michael Kuzak
    105 episodes105 eps • 1986–1991
    Michele Greene
    Michele Greene
    • Abby Perkinsas Abby Perkins
    105 episodes105 eps • 1986–1991
    John Spencer
    John Spencer
    • Tommy Mullaneyas Tommy Mullaney…
    83 episodes83 eps • 1990–1994
    Sheila Kelley
    Sheila Kelley
    • Gwen Tayloras Gwen Taylor
    52 episodes52 eps • 1990–1993
    Amanda Donohoe
    Amanda Donohoe
    • Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lambas Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb
    41 episodes41 eps • 1990–1992
    A Martinez
    A Martinez
    • Daniel Moralesas Daniel Morales…
    39 episodes39 eps • 1990–1994
    Cecil Hoffman
    Cecil Hoffman
    • A.D.A. Zoey Clemmonsas A.D.A. Zoey Clemmons
    35 episodes35 eps • 1991–1992
    Alan Rosenberg
    Alan Rosenberg
    • Eli Levinsonas Eli Levinson…
    24 episodes24 eps • 1989–1994
    • Creators
      • Steven Bochco
      • Terry Louise Fisher
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Series co-creator Terry Louise Fisher, former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, former entertainment lawyer for Twentieth Century Fox, and producer and writer for Cagney & Lacey (1981), composed a form letter she was thinking of sending to lawyers who complained about this show: "Dear So-and-so: If I were a good lawyer, I'd still be practicing law. Instead, I'm stuck in Hollywood, making ten times as much money. I hope you are as conscientious about your clients, as you are about our show. Thank you for your writing."
    • 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.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening titles begin with a a car trunk being slammed shut revealing the title on a personalized license plate. The license plate expiration sticker always shows the ending year for each season.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1987)

    User reviews29

    Review
    Top review
    A near perfect blend of high drama and comedy
    All of the main characters on L.A. Law were quirky in some way but to go into all of them would take up more space than is allowed here. So I will simply name a few: 1) Michael Kuzak: The social conscience who went out of his way to take cases of the underdogs but also had a goofy side, especially when dealing with his lady love A.D.A. Grace van Owen. 2) Grace van Owen: Very much like Kuzak, except she has higher ambitions than just being a lawyer. She has a reputation of being distant around her colleagues but does let her guard down in one particular moment, involving a technical aspect of the use of an animal by-product. 3) Arnold Becker: Divorce lawyer (this was before the term Domestic lawyer became more accepted). He craves to take high profile entertainment cases and generally loves anything flashy, sport cars and beautiful women in particular. 4) The Markowitz's: Unlikely married couple. The man (Stuart) short and kind of plain and very amiable and the woman (Ann - knee Kelsey) who is beautiful but has a short fuse. He is a tax lawyer and she mostly deals with civil law and is also prone to take cases for the underdog like Kuzak. 5) And finally the two managing partners Douglas Brackman and Leland Mckenzie: Brackman, with every single inferiority complex known to human and also lives in the shadow of his father who was the senior partner before him. Mckenzie, the strict but fair senior partner with a soft spot for his firm and kind of a father figure to all of his associates.

    Like the earlier Bochco show Hill Street Blues, the emphasis on one day at a time is very much a mainstay in L.A. Law. The lawyers go through every case in the courtroom over very little time that in the real world would take years and although it is not really what trials are like, it is entertaining and if you are looking for something more realistic then you should try seeing an actual televised trial. Outside of the courtroom there are tons of weirdos and sexy women that the characters come in contact with and some of their actions become deadly (eg. the lawyer who shoots himself in open court). But there is also room for comedy like Kuzak showing up at a wedding, where he is most definitely not invited in a gorilla suit and Becker screwing over one of the aspiring associates in more ways than one. All this is pure TV entertainment but what I like about this show is that it tries to take the high road once in a while and the comic relief is usually hysterical. This mix is rarely pulled off in a successful way but Bochco has created such a great universe that when he stumbles there is always a new try at every turn.
    helpful•9
    8
    • policy134
    • Jul 31, 2005

    FAQ1

    • Is this series available on DVD or Netflix?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • L.A. Law - Staranwälte, Tricks, Prozesse
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • 20th Century Fox Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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