Theodore 'Teddy' Hoffman is a highly-regarded defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. Having successfully defended the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in a much-publicised murder trial, he is now involved in the defense of Neil Avedon, a famous young actor who has been suffering from severe drug and alcohol problems - and has been charged with the murder for which Cross was acquitted.
Wyler learns murder is often a family affair after a man claims to know who really murdered Tommy Banks and then Mary Beth's killer confesses.
Banks is released, and as the firm tries to help him, one of their own is shot; Wyler defends a young man accused of killing his 83-year-old girlfriend.
While Grasso calls forth witnesses who believed Banks' final victim was innocent, Wyler begins to worry whether his client will kill again if he is found innocent and released.
Wyler's attempts to protect his client fail after Banks gets permission from the judge to testify on his own behalf and then angrily tells Wyler "You are now at the top of my list."
Jury selection for the Banks' trial proves difficult as many of the jurors interviewed feel Banks is a hero for killing murderers who received light sentences for their horrific crimes.
Wyler defends a serial killer who targeted ex-cons convicted of vicious crimes, and the firm receives bids from Hollywood producers vying for the movie rights.
Rickey goes into hiding after a witness testifies that Rickey said he was going to kill Fortas because he was tired of being threatened over gambling debts.
The defense brings forth witnesses attesting to Fortas' disregard for others and then has Rickey testify about how Fortas was blackmailing Rickey's wife.
Witnesses in the Latrell case portray Rickey as a desperate and possessive man, but later it is Rickey himself who offers up the most damning statement.
While Docknovich and Mosley clash over jury selection for the Latrell case, an agent eager to represent Latrell implies that his current agent has been stealing from clients.
The truth about the governor's murder is finally revealed as Mosley and Docknovich argue over who is best suited to make Rickey Latrell's bail argument.
Sharon has trouble dealing with the jury's verdict, and an underworld figure already in jail promises to tell Wyler what really happened the night the governor was killed.
While Wyler uncovers more connections between the various players involved in the Van Allan murder, Rickey Latrell is arrested and charged with murder.
Wyler learns another of the governor's affairs ended badly for the woman involved, and Latrell is called in for questioning concerning the murder of team owner Sandy Fortas.
Wyler talks to Sharon's husband concerning her confession, then later meets basketball superstar Rickey Latrell, who fears he'll be arrested for the murder of an NBA team owner.
As Sharon continues to insist she is guilty, Wyler feels certain that she is not, and a surprising source offers to pay for Sharon Rooney's defense.
Sharon testifies she was pregnant with Governor Van Allan's child, but he made her have an abortion, while Wyler learns the governor's wife was having an affair of her own.
Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Wyler joins Hoffman & Associates, and for his first case he defends Sharon Rooney, who was arrested for murdering the governor of California.
Theodore 'Teddy' Hoffman is a highly-regarded defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. Having successfully defended the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in a much-publicised murder trial, he is now involved in the defense of Neil Avedon, a famous young actor who has been suffering from severe drug and alcohol problems - and has been charged with the murder for which Cross was acquitted.
Anthony LaPaglia , Mary McCormack , Michael Hayden
David Milch
20th Century Fox Television , Steven Bochco Productions
as Jimmy Wyler
as Justine Appleton
as Chris Docknovich
