Ethically-challenged attorney Alan Shore, formerly of Young, Berluti, & Frutt, settles in at a wealthy and powerful firm focusing on civil cases. With some help from his friend and mentor, veteran attorney Denny Crane, Shore quickly makes his mark winning cases no one would take, often using less than honest methods. In doing so, he develops a rival in his colleague Brad Chase, who has been assigned to the office partly to keep an eye on the increasingly eccentric (and possibly senile) Denny Crane. Though his questionable conduct might make him a few enemies along the way, Alan's not one to be underestimated, nor will he let trivial things like honesty or integrity get in the way of winning a case.

The show often contains dialog that "breaks the fourth wall" or lets the audience believe they know it's a TV show. At the end of episode "Squid Pro Quo", Denny ends the episode by saying, "I can't wait until next week." Alan Shore also notes that the show used to be on Mondays, and one time mentioned to Denny that "I've hardly seen you this episode." Melissa, Alan's assistant, once warns him against falling for a woman, citing, "She's only a guest-star".

Brad Chase:
I outrank you.


Alan Shore:
And I'm such a slut for authority.