David E. Kelley is a renowned contemporary creator, writer, and producer of scripted TV shows, who’s been churning out hit after hit for the past 40 years. Starting with his medical sitcom “Doogie Howser, M.D.”, which premiered on ABC in 1989, many of Kelley’s creations have garnered widespread popularity. Lately, this prolific show developer has seen tremendous success with Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer“.
David E. Kelley’s series cover a range of themes, but it’s his legal dramas that have gained significant popularity. Before introducing Mickey Haller on TV, Kelley was creating legal shows as a pastime, many of which carry a sharp humor. Michael Connelly made an excellent choice in adapting the characters from The Lincoln Lawyer for television.
Apart from his successful Netflix series, he’s produced eight television shows predominantly centered around law and legal matters. This includes three comedic-dramas, one of which was a spin-off from another lawyer drama, and two more recent legal dramas for various streaming platforms. His TV career began by writing episodes for a groundbreaking legal show in the 1980s.
8. Harry’s Law
2011–2012
As a film enthusiast, I must confess that “Harry’s Law,” created by David E. Kelley, didn’t quite hit the target like some of his other legal shows. This comedy-drama follows the journey of a well-settled patent lawyer who unexpectedly transitions into a criminal defense attorney. There are hints of the brilliance displayed in “The Lincoln Lawyer” within this brief series. However, the storylines in “Harry’s Law” often fall short of their potential impact.
The show ended after only two seasons and isn’t remembered fondly; for truly amusing corporate law scenes, watch Suits. But before Harry’s Law aired, Kelly had already produced two better legal comedy-dramas.
7. The Practice
1997–2004
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, I found myself utterly captivated by none other than “The Practice,” a legal drama that stood head and shoulders above its contemporaries. A significant leap forward from anything that preceded it, this series was refined to perfection and brimming with intricate storylines. As I delve back into the world of “Suits,” let me remind you that Jerry Bruckheimer’s first original legal drama, “The Practice,” showcased Rick Hoffman as a lawyer, long before he graced our screens as Louis Litt.
Unlike its forerunners, The Practice also gives us realistic insights into the legal profession, while balancing procedural elements with compelling personal storylines. This show laid the blueprint for legal dramas in the modern era. What’s more, it accidentally gave us one of the best lawyer characters in the history of television, to whom we’ll be returning later in the article.
6. Presumed Innocent
2024–
Just like The Lincoln Lawyer was adapted into a blockbuster film before David E. Kelley transformed it into a TV hit, Presumed Innocent was initially a movie. Now, this intricate drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal is on television. In this series, the main character, who is a prosecutor, finds himself caught up in a murder case where he’s seen as a possible suspect.
As a movie enthusiast, I must say that the Apple TV+ series version of “Presumed Innocent” deviates from Harrison Ford’s film adaptation of Scott Turow’s bestselling novel in several significant aspects. David E. Kelley, with his rich background in legal drama, elevates the suspense to another level. Originally planned as a limited series, its captivating storyline and critical acclaim have led to the greenlighting of a second season, making me excited for more!
5. L.A. Law
1986–1994
Back in the day, when I was just starting out as a screenwriter, it was none other than the groundbreaking legal drama, L.A. Law, that gave me my big break in the television industry. You see, I was this young Boston attorney with dreams in my eyes and scripts in my hands. One of those scripts somehow found its way to Steven Bochco, a co-creator of L.A. Law, who was so impressed that he offered me a chance to join his team and help bring his new legal series to life.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, one of the most popular TV shows was “L.A. Law”. This is where Kelley honed his skills in the industry. He worked on it for eight seasons, learning how to create complex characters and intricate plots within a legal-procedural framework over extended story arcs.
It was Kelley who played a key role in one of the most significant plot turns in television history, serving as the lead writer for the L.A. Law season 5 episode titled “Good to the Last Drop”. After leaving the show, he was eager and prepared to develop his own legal drama series.
4. Ally McBeal
1997–2002
David E. Kelley truly shone as a legal drama mastermind through his work on “Ally McBeal.” He broke free from traditional genre limitations, giving prominence to Ally’s personal life and skillfully combining the series with humorous and satirical aspects, while also maintaining its procedural drama essence.
This series, such as Legally Blonde and Suits, owe a considerable debt for their success to it. It was rightfully praised for its wit, sharp critique of male-dominated offices, and inventive fantasy scenes. The positive response boosted Kelley’s confidence to incorporate humor into his legal dramas consistently from then onwards.
In light of whispers about a possible comeback, main star Calista Flockhart has indicated she’s ready and willing to step back into the role. Enthusiasts of the series are on pins and needles, hoping for an invitation, and a revival could offer a fresh audience the chance to discover this overlooked television treasure.
3. Goliath
2016–2021
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I’d put it this way: For me, Billy McBride, portrayed magnificently by Richard Gere, is the embodiment of David E. Kelley’s alternative to Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln Lawyer character. No one could grasp Mickey Haller’s complexities better than Billy McBride himself. He’s a legal eagle with an edge, as skeptical about the legal system as he is gifted in navigating its intricacies. In many ways, Billy McBride feels like a kindred spirit to Mickey Haller, albeit a bit more rugged than the polished image of The Lincoln Lawyer’s central figure.
Making its premiere on Amazon Prime Video in 2016, “Goliath” essentially functioned as a trial run for David Kelley’s subsequent Netflix series. However, it stands well on its own merit, with Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of McBride arguably surpassing Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s depiction of Mickey Haller. Fans of gritty dramas will appreciate the show’s film noir style as well.
2. Boston Legal
2004–2008
This series, originally a lighter-toned spin-off from “The Practice”, soon outshone its predecessor, largely due to James Spader’s most memorable role before his work on “The Blacklist”. The character of Alan Shore, although only appearing in the final season of “The Practice”, is significantly more captivating than any other character in that series.
The shore exhibits a high level of neuroticism and a touch of arrogance, yet his talent as a defense attorney is unparalleled. Some of his courtroom speeches are legendary on television, skillfully blending sharp wit, impressive rhetorical weight, and deep moral sensitivity.
Beyond the courtroom, Shore exhibits a rebellious character that often sparks disagreements due to his unconventional evidence-collecting tactics within his law office. However, this professional idiosyncrasy is just one of the captivating elements in the dynamic duo formed by Shore and the equally peculiar Denny Crane, which adds significantly to the charm of the television series, Boston Legal.
1. The Lincoln Lawyer
2022–
In Boston Legal, David E. Kelley was given the foundation for a superior series, from the unconventional legal strategies of the protagonist to his close relationship with an elder advisor. However, The Lincoln Lawyer takes things up a notch by featuring compelling personal narratives alongside exceptional courtroom performances by its leading attorneys.
At the peak of Kelley’s illustrious career, this exceptionally well-liked series, titled “The Lincoln Lawyer“, presents more intense legal cases than any other show he has created. The narrative is filled with unexpected turns, keeping us captivated from the very beginning as we delve into Mickey Haller’s tale.
A significant portion of the praise for the show’s skillful storytelling and character development should be directed towards Michael Connelly, whose work forms the foundation for The Lincoln Lawyer. However, even with Connelly’s work as a basis, it was crucial to entrust the TV adaptation to skilled hands. In the realm of legal dramas, few are more reliable than those belonging to David E. Kelley.
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2025-07-06 12:39