The 10 Best TV Lawyers

Here are the 10 best TV lawyers based on intelligence, knowledge of the law (TV law anyway), reputation, and personal conviction. Notice I didn't mention morals?

Matlock

Ben Matlock never took a case unless he was sure the person innocent. No matter how hopeless his case seemed he never gave up; the truth was out there and he was going to find it. Matlock's reputation as a lawyer was legendary; he never lost. Well, just that one time but we don't talk about that. His trademark move was getting the true perpetrator on the stand and forcing them into a confession. This is where his true genius showed. A confession by the real killer and an acquittal at trial does much to repair a reputation tarnished by accusations of murder.

Matlock ran from 1986 to 1995.

Perry Mason

Perry's stock and trade was laying out his case and forcing confessions from criminals during the preliminary hearings. Watching him was like watching a chess Grand Master. You could see his calm calculation as he assessed each witness like a chess piece on the board before striking at their weakness. He is the original legendary lawyer.

Perry Mason aired from 1957 to 1966.

Denny Crane

Denny Crane's legend will be spoken of for years, although most likely for his later antics rather than for the brilliance of his prime. He is the only lawyer who can claim the ability to win cases just by saying his name. Of course, it is possible that he the only lawyer with an ego big enough to make that claim. By the time we get to see Denny in action he is a mere shadow of his former self; suffering as he was from "Mad Cow". Even failing mental faculties couldn't stop Denny from achieving victory in court.

Denny Crane was part of the ensemble cast on Boston Legal, which ran for five years and ended in 2009.

Patty Hewes

This is a woman who wields that law like a fencer wields a rapier; all the while deploying legal sleights of hand like a magician on stage. Her sharp mind, legal skill, and ruthlessness drives fear into the hearts of her colleagues and adversaries. She can be both vindictive and cruel and yet she prides herself in targeting those who are abusing the little guys acting. Never mind that she is an avenging angel only because it makes her rich.

Patty Hewes heads a law firm on Damages. Season three is currently airing.

Alan Shore

Alan Shore is a lawyer who isn't afraid of getting dirty. He's doesn't seem to fear the consequences of his actions and is thus able to move boldly and firmly, even when those actions put him at odds with the law. He quickly pivots from principled indignation to unethical action. But his unethical behavior is perfectly balanced by the fact that he only participates in it for wholly ethical reasons. His trade mark move is to arguments that links current social, political and economic ills to the case at hand. By doing so he shifts large portions of blame away from his clients and onto society at large.

Alan Shore is part of Boston Legal's ensemble cast.

Jerry Espensen

Jerry Espensen's Asperger's syndrome leaves him socially awkward and undermines his self confidence. However, as his journey continues we see him become the top-notch lawyer that had always been lurking just beneath the surface. This is a man who is fearless even while being fearful.

Jerry Espensen was part of the Boston Legal ensemble cast.

Eli Stone

Eli was a hot-shot lawyer well on his way to making partner when his career was derailed by sudden visions of the future. His struggle to accept them and use them to do good becomes his driving force when comes to believe that the visions are from God. Even though it places him at odds with his firm; he pursues God's agenda, becoming a guardian angel for God's selected clients.

Eli Stone aired for just two season in 2008 and 2009.

Jack McCoy

Jack is an aggressive lawyer who will go out on legal limbs to make sure he gets justice. It is his sharp mind that allows him to find creative legal solutions and argue them successfully in court.

Jack McCoy is a regular part of Law & Order which is currently in it's 16th year.

Abby Carmichael

Abby Carmichael was an outspoken and politically conservative lawyer who frequently went toe to toe with Jack McCoy even though they were both prosecutors. Just as smart as Jack and just as aggressive; she was his perfect balance. On her own she could win just about any trial.

Her time on Law & Order ended in 2001.

Alex Cabot

Alex is a woman of principal and her strict legal ethics often put her at odds with her personal feelings. It is her strength of character that allows her to stomach, day in and day out, the horrors of trying sexual predators and the difficult decisions she is forced to make in the pursuit of ultimate justice. She argues with a passion and conviction that makes juries feel the pain of the victims.

Alex Cabot continues to be a major character in Law & Order SVU.

I love legal dramas and thoroughly enjoyed The Practice, JAG, LA Law, Century City and Night Court. While I loved many of the characters on these shows I believe those on this list would have trounced them in court. And no, I did not forget about the lawyers of Ally McBeal. I just didn't like it.