L.A. Law poster

TV series

L.A. Law

19868 seasons7.1 / 10

The professionals who will take you into the jungles of American justice

L.A. Law is an American television legal drama series that ran for eight seasons on NBC from September 15, 1986, to May 19, 1994. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, it contained many of Bochco's trademark features including a large number of parallel storylines, social drama and off-the-wall humor. It reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s, and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, AIDS, and domestic violence. The series often also reflected social tensions between the wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff. The show was popular with audiences and critics, and won 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

L.A. Law is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

Availability and prices can change. Confirm the details on the streaming service before you subscribe, rent or buy.

Synopsis

L.A. Law is an American television legal drama series that ran for eight seasons on NBC from September 15, 1986, to May 19, 1994. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, it contained many of Bochco's trademark features including a large number of parallel storylines, social drama and off-the-wall humor. It reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s, and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, AIDS, and domestic violence. The series often also reflected social tensions between the wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff. The show was popular with audiences and critics, and won 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series.

Season 8 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 7

Episode 1

Book of Renovation, Chapter 1

The partners begin to interview candidates for a new associate at the firm which is under interior renovation. Meanwhile, Stuart Markowitz's cousin Eli Levinson arrives in town from New York to defend Sandy Morris, the mentally ill son of some old friends who's accused of murdering a social worker. Eli's former secretary, Denise Iannello, arrives and asks Eli to give her a job as his secretary again. Kelsey represents another attorney suing her own firm for sexual discrimination. Also, Becker finds the new associate candidate, Jane Halliday, a Christian fundamentalist, irresistible, while Kelsey is wary about Halliday's presence.

Episode credits

Guest stars Ron Ely, Priscilla Lopez, Nicholas Turturro, Carroll Baker, John DeMita, Max Perlich, Elliott Gould, Stephen Root

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 2

Leap of Faith

New associate Jane Halliday represents a Gulf War veteran in declining health, who charges a VA doctor with negligence in treating his baffling illness. Meanwhile, Rollins is representing a TV shopping network executive being sued by a man for enticing his ""shopaholic"" wife to spend beyond her means. Eli enters a plea of not guilty for Sandy Morrison and hires an attractive private investigator, Jinx Haber, to look into the murder victim's husband a potential suspect while Sandy's parents, Ed and Rae, quarrel with Eli and each other over what's best for Sandy.

Episode credits

Directed by Tom MooreWritten by Julie Martin, William M. Finkelstein, Paul ManningGuest stars Lisa Banes, Barry Lynch, Carroll Baker, Earl Boen, Connie Ray, Max Perlich, Christina Kokubo, Lawrence Dobkin

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 3

How Much Is That Bentley in the Window?

The Sandy Morris murder trial begins where Eli acts on his suspicions and calls the murder victim's husband, Jonah, to the stand. Meanwhile, Becker longs to buy a classic $275,000 Bentley Convertible, a dream that could come true pending the outcome of a messy divorce case involving his latest client, Jessie Wilks, and her wealthy CEO husband. Also, Morales' artistic eye puts him in charge of the office renovation and meets with the attractive renovator, Lauren Chase, to discus the costs.

Episode credits

Guest stars Priscilla Lopez, Carroll Baker, Jared Martin, Max Perlich, Joan Severance, Elliott Gould, Belinda Montgomery, Mike Pniewski

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 4

Foreign Co-Respondent

47m

McKenzie urges Eli to join the firm and his restricted men's club; a couple move to sue their travel agent for a nightmare trip; a Chinese financier faces murder charges for the death of an illegal immigrant.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark TinkerWritten by Julie Martin, William M. Finkelstein, Paul ManningGuest stars Pat Cooper, Lucy Liu, Joan Severance, Martin Mull, Richard Fancy, George Cheung, Nicholas Kadi, Jennifer Bassey

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 5

The Green, Green Grass of Home

Markowitz is approached by Barry Glassman, an old friend who reveals that he's a fugitive named Jay Ellison wanted for attempting to help a Black Panther member escape from prison in 1968 and asks him to help arrange his surrender. Meanwhile, Morales is representing a pot-smoking couple suing the school system for encouraging their daughter to turn them into the police. A casting agent raises Denise's expectations about an acting career. Also, Benny develops a crush on Denise and begins to ignore Rosalie who wants to move in with him.

Episode credits

Written by William M. Finkelstein, Anne KenneyGuest stars Lillian Lehman, Noley Thornton, Kathleen Wilhoite, Dan Martin, Concetta Tomei, John Bedford Lloyd, Frederick Coffin, Richard Masur

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 6

Safe Sex

Becker urges that the firm employ a security consultant in constructing a ""safe room"" for the employees, then falls prey to the innovation when he and Denise get locked in it after hours. Meanwhile, Kelsey and Halliday square off against each other while they are representing Karl Bullon, a self-righteous department store employer being sued by an ex-employee for eavesdropping on her who was having an extra-marital affair with a co-worker, where Halliday learns a courtroom lesson while cross-examining a witness. Also, Rollins decides to represent Glassman and seeks out a former Black Panther member as a witness while he and Markowitz begin to argue about the politics reguarding the case.

Episode credits

Guest stars Paul Dooley, Harry Shearer, Frederick Coffin, Dick Anthony Williams, Richard Masur, Leonard Stone

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 7

Pacific Rimshot

Becker's car accident with his Bentley prompts a spate of anti-Asian sentiments, which in turn inspires the minority members of the firm who include Morales and Rollins. Meanwhile, the Glassman case reaches its conclusion as Rollins and Markowitz try to turn the jury against the US government. Eli handles the divorce of the wife of a marriage counseling guru reluctant to give up on the marriage or his wife's money. Also, Jinx helps Eli with his case while showing him the wonders of Los Angeles.

Episode credits

Directed by Charles HaidWritten by William M. FinkelsteinGuest stars Carrie-Anne Moss, Dennis Dugan, Debra Jo Rupp, Ramon Bieri, Barry Gordon, Elizabeth Peña, Dick Anthony Williams, Jordan Charney

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 8

Eli's Gumming

A prostitute brings rape charges against a record executive who claims to have exotic sexual needs; an insecure student sues his voice therapist for fraud; while studying for the California bar exam, Eli contends with the passions of two women.

Episode credits

Guest stars Matt McCoy, Marjorie Monaghan, Richard Libertini, John Fiedler, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Dugan, Elizabeth Peña, Erin McLaughlin

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 9

Rhyme and Punishment

7.0 / 10

Mamie Van Doren is a guest at the firm's Christmas party; the son of an aging comic believes his father is being exploited by a mistress; Roxanne asks Mullaney to surrender parental rights.

Episode credits

Written by Julie Martin, William M. FinkelsteinGuest stars Mamie Van Doren, Norm Crosby, Teri Austin, Jerry Stiller, William H. Macy, Cristine Rose, Philip Lenkowsky, Frank Medrano

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 10

He Ain't Guilty, He's My Brother

Morales agrees to defend a confused young man who wants to confess to a convenience store robbery, but who may not be guilty. Meanwhile, Kelsey takes a civil case of defending a man accused of sexual fraud because he implied to a woman that he was an undercover cop. Mullaney and Judge Walker face a defense attorney demanding a mistrial in the Turner case because of their developing relationship. Also, Becker ends up getting duped by a phoney come-on by Halliday after he tells her of his divine sight to see the truth.

Episode credits

Guest stars Didi Conn, Norman Large, Shelley Morrison, Michael Fairman, Mike Pniewski, Joanna Cassidy, Geoffrey Rivas, Christopher Kriesa

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 11

McKenzie, Brackman, Barnum & Bailey

A ballerina sues a dance company for breach of contract; an aging juggler accuses his protégé of stealing his act; and Benny dances around a commitment to Rosalie.

Episode credits

Guest stars Michael V. Gazzo, Kristin Bauer, Richard Kline, Parley Baer, Roy Dotrice, Joe Grifasi

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 12

Cold Cuts

Two mountaineers face charges after resorting to cannibalism; a mathematician adds up the consequences of divorce; and Denise lands in the middle of a father-son feud.

Episode credits

Directed by Elodie KeeneWritten by William M. Finkelstein, Paul ManningGuest stars Jenette Goldstein, Gary Frank, Valerie Mahaffey, Anne Haney, Nicholas Cascone, Joseph Bologna, Susanna Thompson, Barry Gordon

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 13

Age of Insolence

Kelsey represents a woman being sued for the custody of her adopted daughter by the girl's biological father, who's heavily influenced by a psychologist with her own unresolved adoption issues; Halliday defends a client with heightened sensibilities against the impolite palaver of the woman's coworker and an impish Becker; the partners resentfully capitulate when Rollins gives them an ultimatum about a partnership offer.

Episode credits

Directed by Win PhelpsWritten by Theresa RebeckGuest stars Scott Michael Campbell, Elizabeth Ruscio, Richard Edson, Lela Ivey, Sharon Spelman, Gregory Itzin, Paul Ben-Victor

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 14

God is My Co-Counsel

A few days before his wedding, Stulwicz is shocked to discover that his bride-to-be is already married, and enlists Becker's help in getting annulment papers signed by her reluctant husband; when Halliday's father arrives for a visit, Becker wastes no time trying to win him over, but father and daughter clash over his interference in her representation of a biology teacher fired for teaching creationism; at the Hendrickson-Stulwicz nuptials, a little romance is in the air for Kelsey and Markowitz, Ianello and Levinson, and Halliday and Becker, despite their truly terrifying bridesmaid outfits.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark TinkerWritten by Anne KenneyGuest stars James Stephens, Lillian Lehman, Kathleen Noone, Kathleen Wilhoite, Joe Grifasi, Gary Bayer, John Diehl, James Gammon

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 15

Three on a Patch

47m

Brackman represents senior citizens threatened with eviction from their retirement community for rambunctious behavior arising from their participation in a clinical study of testosterone patches; Rollins takes on the State Department of Corrections on behalf of an inmate who claims that the conditions in the super maximum security facility in which he is incarcerated violate the constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment; Becker learns that a kiss is just a kiss, and nothing more, where Halliday is concerned; the partners's choice of a new associate prompts Morales to resign.

Episode credits

Directed by Dan LernerWritten by William M. Finkelstein, Paul ManningGuest stars Michael Jace, Eric Christmas, Lawrence Dobkin, Denver Pyle, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Steven Eckholdt, Stephen Pearlman, Randy Oglesby

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 16

Whose San Andreas Fault Is it, Anyway?

47m

Levinson represents an advertising executive being sued for wrongful termination by a copywriter with whom she had an affair; Brackman is livid when Halliday's advice to a client seeking inner peace in the midst of litigation over earthquake damage ends up costing the firm over half a million dollars in fees; Ianello's earthquake anxiety begins to get the better of her; Morales leaves the firm.

Episode credits

Directed by Elodie KeeneGuest stars Shelley Hack, Jane Kaczmarek, Edie McClurg, Steven Eckholdt, Stanley Grover, Michel Gill, Michael Harney, Tim Van Pelt

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 17

Silence is Golden

Becker and Mullaney suspect, but cannot prove, that Flannigan committed a felony in settling a civil damages suit in a child molestation case; Rollins successfully pleads with an over-controlling father to drop a law suit against his fashion model daughter; Flannigan wins the undying gratitude of the Brackmans when he uses his influence to get their son accepted into a prestigious prep school.

Episode credits

Written by Julie Martin, Paul HaggisGuest stars Barry Primus, Ivonne Coll, Clark Johnson, Paul Sand, Michael Des Barres, Steven Eckholdt, Stephen Root, Victoria Dillard

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 18

Dead Issue

Markowitz reluctantly takes a court case of a libel suit involving an investigative reporter being sued by a former a nuclear physicist who was accused of conducting radiation experiments on unwitting subjects in the 1950s. Meanwhile, Kelsey handles a divorce case between a woman and her husband, a Grateful Dead fanatic. Also, Becker gets involved with D.A. Belinda Fox, who is determined to prosecute his client for pandering.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark TinkerWritten by William M. FinkelsteinGuest stars Peter Jurasik, Fritz Weaver, Kate Vernon, Patti D'Arbanville, Steven Eckholdt, Charles Martin Smith, Peter Crombie, Jane Hallaren

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 19

Tunnel of Love

Patrick pulls another fast one; a rumor about Belinda troubles Becker; the owner of a show dog with a litter of mongrels sues her neighbor

Episode credits

Directed by Elodie KeeneWritten by Paul Manning, Anne KenneyGuest stars Dennis Lipscomb, Shelley Duvall, Scott Jaeck, Kate Vernon, Kenneth Mars, Timothy Stack, Steven Eckholdt, Armin Shimerman

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 20

How Am I Driving?

Becker tries to hush up his client's connection to a well-placed madam; an incorrigible teen sues to be released from rehab; Eli goes through a broker to buy a car.

Episode credits

Guest stars Lillian Lehman, Kate Vernon, Ray Buktenica, Dan Woren, Steven Eckholdt, Barry Newman, Carolyn Seymour, T.C. Warner

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 21

Whistle Stop

47m

Becker blames Belinda's personal malice for his becoming a murder suspect; Mullaney anticipates trouble with a judge who used to date Carolyn; and McKenzie gets troubling news.

Episode credits

Directed by Randy RobertsWritten by Julie Martin, Paul Manning, Anne Kenney, Paul HaggisGuest stars Jordan Lund, Beau Billingslea, Tracey Walter, Kate Vernon, Steven Eckholdt, Barry Newman, Joanna Cassidy, Carolyn Seymour

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode 22

Finish Line

finale

McKenzie throws the firm into a turmoil when he announces his plans to retire as they prepare to throw him a surprise 65th birthday party; thinking that he's reached rock bottom at the age of 42, Becker reaches out to Halliday for comfort and finds himself in church; Levinson represents an elderly clothing manufacturer sued by his son in a power struggle over their family business; Benny and Rosalie argue when Dominic urges him to invest money in a race horse.

Episode credits

Directed by William M. FinkelsteinWritten by Paul Manning, Julie Martin, Peter Schneider, William M. Finkelstein, Paul Haggis, Anne KenneyGuest stars Joseph Wiseman, Lindsay Crouse, Wendie Malick, Kathleen Wilhoite, Steven Eckholdt, Michael Fairman, Joe Grifasi, Yvette Freeman

Where to watch L.A. Law

Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about L.A. Law

Cast

Corbin BernsenArnie Becker
Harry HamlinMichael Kuzak
Jill EikenberryAnn Kelsey
Susan DeyGrace Van Owen
Alan RachinsDouglas Brackman
Michael TuckerStuart Markowitz
Susan RuttanRoxanne Melman
Blair UnderwoodJonathan Rollins

Credits

Created by
Steven Bochco, Terry Louise Fisher

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
171
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • NBCUnited States
  • 20th Century Fox TelevisionUnited States
  • Steven Bochco ProductionsUnited States

Themes

law firmlawyerlos angeles, california