Bobby Donnell was a handsome, driven defense attorney who surrounded himself at the self-named firm of Robert Donnell & Associates with talented lawyers who lacked the pedigree necessary to cut it in BigLaw. They made up the difference with street smarts and sheer tenacity. Lawyer David E. Kelley created and produced the show just after he developed Ally McBeal. Unlike AMcB, The Practice appreciated the cognitive dissonance between applications of the law and real life.

TRIVIA: Kelley created the role of Helen Gamble for Lara Flynn Boyle after auditioning her for the role of Ally McBeal.