The comedy takes place at the law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt where Alan Shore and Denny Crane are the unlikely kindred spirits among the brigade of high-priced litigators at the firm.

One of the founding law partners, Shirley Schmidt, has been coaxed back to the Boston law firm to help bring order to the chaotic office. She keeps a vigilant eye on all, particularly Denny Crane - with whom she has a checkered history. The firm's other attorneys include Brad Chase, an ex-Marine, who often finds himself in a test of wills with Alan Shore; and Paul Lewiston, the "lawyer's lawyer" who continually tries to save Crane from himself.