Skip Ross graduated from law school with honors at 19, only to find no firm will let him do all what he, in youthful naivety, wants: plead so justice be done in court. So the prodigy accepts a partnership with his antipode: Grant Cooper has the worst reputation and honor nor reputation. In every case Grant's cynical, pessimistic pragmatism clashes with Skip's simplistically noble virtue and legal brilliance. Yet their LA clients, usually too poor to afford a decent firm, are served surprisingly well. Kate Manat, second only to him in class, chose a subservient, well-paid job in a prestigious firm, but envies Skip being a trial lawyer.