Backed by a cadre of young associates, Hoffman was a gruff, masterful criminal lawyer who zealously represented his clients in high-profile cases.
Stanley Tucci played Richard Cross, a charming but morally ambiguous philanthropist and the first man arrested for the murder of 15-year-old Jessica Costello.
For the duration of season one, Hoffman defended Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick), a young Hollywood star accused of the murder of Costello.
In the second season, Benzali was replaced by Anthony LaPaglia as Jimmy Wyler, a former assistant district attorney who took over Hoffman's firm.
The original concept of the series, a James Bond-like defense attorney, could not be salvaged with a replacement lead – not least of which because LaPaglia's character spent most episodes trying to borrow money to keep the firm afloat.
Knowing that this will be the next trial of the century Ted takes the case and puts the young attorney Chris Docknovich as second chair.
Ted next introduces Jessica's diary into evidence which graphically chronicled her sexual liaisons with hundreds of Hollywood's leading men.
The prosecutor Miriam Grasso insists that Neil's bail be revoked and that he not be shown any celebrity treatment and be put into the prison's general population.
Although Ted vows to appeal, the judge gives a lengthy speech on her disgust with Neil for his brutal crime and how in the face of "overwhelming evidence" he's shown no remorse.
Knowing Neil can't survive in prison any longer, Ted makes one last desperate plea to Richard and Julie to come clean with what really happened that night.
It is also revealed that Portalegre sent the assassin to kill Dave Blalock when the video tape exposing Richard's alibi surfaced.
He also had Holly Gerges, who was an obsessed fan of Neil's, killed whilst in police custody and was behind the kidnapping of Ted's daughter, Elizabeth.
At the celebration party, Chris confides in Ted that he was considering paying off an official in the District Attorney's Office who offered to have Neil's conviction overturned.
Ted, who previously stated his opposition to the offer, surprises Chris by pulling out a suitcase full of money which was presumably intended to pay off the same official.
The next morning Jimmy sees on the news that the current governor, Tom Van Allan, who was running for reelection was assassinated along with one of his mistresses in a beach house.
During the trial, Jimmy uses information from his past as a DA to discredit his former co-workers; for example, Detective Biggio sent an innocent man to prison where he was killed before his release, and he uses a forensic examiner's attention deficit disorder (ADD) to try to convince the jury that he may have been confused at the crime scene Jimmy begins to suspect the assassination is bigger than simply an angry lone nut.
He lays out a detailed saga of Van Allan and Garfield's massive corruption and crimes where literally billions of dollars changed hands.
As Larry testifies he is visibly ill and loosens his tie drinking water before finally dropping dead on the courtroom floor.
The courtroom holds its breath as Sharon tells her heartbreaking story of being a young woman in love who grew distant from her husband because of his long hours as a doctor.
He provides details confirming that he assassinated the governor and wants Jimmy to broker a deal with the police to tell them everything in exchange for witness protection.
Jimmy presents the case to Detective Biggio and asks him to help bring the true murderer of Governor Van Allan to justice.
Race immediately becomes the focal point of the trial during jury selection as Chris and Aaron accuse all white jurors as being racists.
The prosecution's witnesses portray Rickey as a corrupt NBA superstar with a history of violence who indulged in gambling and prostitutes.
The defense argues that without the tape or Sandy's testimony the entire event rests on the words of a bookie who's cut a deal with the DA.
They claim Rickey displayed strong religious and family values, while Sandy gambled and owed money to organized crime.
Rickey is acquitted and returns to the basketball season a bigger star than ever, preaching to the media about civil rights and how the racist government can't keep blacks as slaves anymore.
The blue collar Clifford was intending to pay for his high-profile defense with the movie adaptation of his story being made by sleazy and comical Hollywood producer Gary Blondo.
At trial, prosecutor Miriam Grasso unleashes her mountain of evidence and calls Clifford to the stand asking him how he planned and carried out the murders, much to the objections of Jimmy.
Jimmy zealously defends his client by successfully arguing the police did not have a probable cause to search the van containing a dead body.
Under constant surveillance by the police, Clifford is quickly rearrested for rearming himself and stalking the limousine shooter and his brother's killer Osvaldo.