Alan once again goes to bat for Melissa, this time with much less confidence, who is in serious trouble with the IRS.

Meanwhile, Paul and Brad enact a plan to help Rachel get into rehab, and Denise re-enters the world of dating with disastrous results.

When Denny shoots his therapist in self-defense, the senior partners, fed up with his rogue behavior, begin to enact plans to remove him from the firm.

Meanwhile, Alan enlists the help of Chelina in a racially-charged case involving a black man being arrested for being in a white neighborhood, and Brad asks Denise to teach him to be a better kisser.

Name partner Edwin Poole returns from a mental institution to Crane, Poole and Schmidt, ready to jump back in, but Shirley has reservations when he decides to sue a candy company.

An A.D.A. with a grudge against Alan brings charges, accusing him of advising his client to flee when a guilty verdict was inevitable.

Meanwhile, Brad and Denise decide where to take their relationship.

Denny goes ape when Bella is the target of animal-rights activists, who are being represented by her daughter--and his diminutive ex-girlfriend--Bethany. Meanwhile, Brad has doubts about his secret trysts with Denise; Claire is surprised by a new suitor; and Paul believes a costume party will raise everyone's spirits.

Shirley tackles a case involving a drug remedy for trauma; Alan, Denny and Bethany help a judge who is unhappy with his sexual orientation; and Denise learns she's pregnant, but is unsure of the father's identity.

Alan tries two different cases, including the defense of a therapist who was fired for his belief in UFOs. Meanwhile, Clarence is confused by Claire's dinner invitation; and Bethany tries to bring out Denny's spiritual side.

Alan and Denny defend an unscrupulous lawyer accused of obstructing justice on behalf of his brother. Meanwhile, interoffice couples Brad and Denise and Claire and Clarence each deal with major relationship revelations; and Denny practices the positive-thinking philosophy known as "the secret" in order to wish Raquel Welch into his life.

Denny lusts after Judge Weldon when Alan defends her in a drug case; a sorority girl's expulsion pits Clarence against Jerry; Brad expresses a desire for a military wedding, but it puts Denise in a fighting mood; and Shirley helps a former HIV patient hold on to his most-prized possession.

Alan defends Brad and Denise's priest after he's arrested on their wedding day on charges of sheltering undocumented immigrants; Jerry helps a woman with a pet duck who was evicted from her apartment; and Denny counts a coveted sports trophy among his possessions.

Senior partner Carl Sack clashes with Denny after the latter is arrested. Meanwhile, Shirley needs Alan's help when a university wants a donation, and Jerry assists another new attorney in a homicide case.

Denny is head over heels for a cattle rancher who wants the government to stop the sale of cloned meat. Meanwhile, Shirley asks Alan to sue the Democratic Party when her nephew--a delegate--disagrees with his state's primary vote.