1997: ABC Introduces 'The Practice'
On this day in 1997, ABC launched the legal series, The Practice. Created by David E. Kelley, the show starred Dylan McDermott as Boston criminal defense attorney Bobby Donnell, whose firm's successes meant helping the guilty go free. The show's co-stars included Steve Harris, Camryn Manheim, Kelli Williams, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Michael Badalucco and Lara Flynn Boyle.
The final season marked the departure of several key cast members, and the introduction of new ones, including James Spader's Alan Shore. Spader's character was fired from The Practice's practice toward the end of the season, and was hired by another Boston firm, Crane, Poole & Schmidt, a scenario that served as the spin-off series, Boston Legal.