The Practice is an American legal drama created by David E. Kelley centring on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The series was broadcast for eight seasons from 1997 to 2004, initially as a mid-season replacement. The Practice won many Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1998 and 1999. As part of the fictional universe in which many shows produced by David E. Kelley are set The Practice had crossover story arcs with Gideon's Crossing, Boston Public, and Ally McBeal in addition to its own more jovial spin-off series Boston Legal, which was broadcast from 2004 to 2008.
The Practice focused on the law firm of Robert Donnell and Associates (later becoming Donnell, Young, Dole, & Frutt, and ultimately Young, Frutt, & Berluti). Plots typically featured the firm's involvement in various high-profile criminal and civil cases that often mirrored current events at the time of the episodes' initial broadcast. Conflict between legal ethics and personal morality was a recurring theme.
Bobby works with Ally McBeal and Billy Thomas (of the law firm of Cage and Fish) to help in the defense of Marie Hanson (Donna Murphy), an apparent axe murderer who may have been Lizzie Borden in a past life. Bobby's infamous "plan B" strategy has shocking results. Ellenor discovers that her new boyfriend, Fred Spivak, is the crooked chiropractor treating Rebecca, while Lindsay and Helen discuss Helen's future with the DA's office.
After Scott Wallace kills his friend, Jimmy becomes a witness for the prosecution. Bobby, meanwhile, is still defending Wallace.