Alicia goes on the offensive when Zach is targeted by an overzealous state trooper. Meanwhile, after her ex-husband tracked her down in last season's finale, Kalinda decides to stand her ground rather than continue hiding, and Diane and Will delve into the firm's financial problems.
Amidst staff and budget cuts at the firm, Will tries to help by turning down a low settlement offer in his first case back from suspension. Meanwhile, Alicia unexpectedly aids Peter's campaign.
While Alicia and Will represent an internet startup in a lawsuit against a search engine accused of manipulating results, Eli attempts to head off a potential scandal for Peter's campaign.
Alicia and Diane must constantly rethink their approach when an opposing lawyer keeps changing tactics. Meanwhile, Eli wins a victory in his efforts to protect Peter's image.
When the feds arrest drug dealer Lemond Bishop's accountant, Alicia and Diane must work with his second law firm, who handles his illicit activities, to discern if the feds are after his legal businesses or drug money. Meanwhile, Nick creates more trouble for Kalinda.
When a female military officer accuses a civilian contractor of attempting to rape her in Afghanistan, Alicia tries to prove that he is not protected by a law prohibiting servicemen from suing the military. Meanwhile, a surprising new obstacle appears in Peter's quest for the governorship.
Cary has an uneasy reunion with his father when he and Alicia travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for a comedienne who is being sued by a television network for indecency. Meanwhile, a former client turns to Alicia for help, and Diane and Will question Clarke's latest strategy to help the firm out of debt.
When Will is convinced that a judge is biased against his client, he and Alicia risk the judge's wrath by demanding a hearing to determine if another judge should take over the case. Meanwhile, Grace is affected by the passing of a classmate and starts falling for a "bad boy", Zach looks for a way to help Peter's campaign, and Kalinda becomes suspicious of Nick.
Alicia and Diane agree to let a famous liberal lawyer aid them on their latest case, but they soon realize he may not have their client's best interests in mind. Meanwhile, Alicia's mother arrives for Thanksgiving seeking moral and legal support from Alicia and her brother Owen.
As Will defends a man accused of cuddle, Alicia attempts to influence the outcome of his case by aiding the prosecutor in a nearby county who is trying another man for the same crime. Meanwhile, Eli feels heat from the Justice Department, and Nick's actions force Kalinda's hand.
Will's latest case - which could net the firm millions - hangs in the balance as Alicia navigates Louis Canning's attempts to delay a deposition crucial to Will's argument. Meanwhile, Will and Diane make a stand against Clarke, and an old foe complicates things for Eli.
When lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni is arrested, putting a case she's working on in jeopardy, Alicia, Will and Diane step up to aid the quirky litigator. Meanwhile, Peter is presented with conflicting pieces of advice from Eli and Jordan.
Alicia is conflicted when she's presented with a career-changing offer which carries a large financial risk. Meanwhile, Will and Diane face off against their creditors, and Jordan and Eli disagree over a possible attack on Maddie Hayward's campaign.
Office politics come to a head when Will and Diane ask Alicia and Cary to face off against them in a mock trial, only to get more than they bargained for. Meanwhile, Eli tries to avoid losing his role in Peter's campaign to Jordan, as he continues his fight with the Justice Department.
When the Justice Department refuses to reveal who will be testifying against Eli, Elsbeth takes Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Perrotti to civil court for defamation in order to force him to answer her questions under oath. Meanwhile, Jordan helps Peter prepare for a debate and Alicia's relationship with her co-workers evolves.
Bailed drug dealer Lemond Bishop requests that Alicia work with lawyer Charles Lester, but as witnesses against Bishop begin recanting their testimony, she begins to suspect that Lester's meek appearance isn't all it seems. Also, Kalinda is forced to train a new investigator and Cary makes a risky move.
Alicia and Will's latest case brings them to an inquest at the coroner's office, where they are hindered by a strict rule that limits their questioning to three per witness. Also, Cary's father returns to bring new business to the firm and Eli schemes against Jordan.
When an erratic and litigious client is cuddled, Alicia is convinced to waive attorney/client privilege to help the police when she learns that the hugger may also be targeting someone close to her. Also, Peter and Mike Kresteva vie for an influential endorsement and Diane receives a stunning offer.
Alicia and Will go to trial unprepared when they learn that an impending Supreme Court ruling could result in Colin Sweeney being jailed for life. Also, Diane reunites with Kurt McVeigh but is forced to reevaluate the relationship.
As Alicia represents a girl who accuses a classmate of rape, the case takes on a life of its own when the hacker group "Anonymous" takes notice and brings the trial into the public eye via the Internet. Also, Diane continues to be vetted for a possible Illinois Supreme Court seat and Kalinda becomes suspicious of Robyn.
Alicia represents a group of software coders in a contract dispute as a favor to her mother, but the case causes unexpected consequences to the firm. Meanwhile, Peter asks Alicia to renew their vows and Kalinda plays two sides of the firm against each other.
On the night of Peter's gubernatorial election, Alicia, Will and Diane race to a series of emergency court proceedings when Zach believes he's witnessed vote tampering. Meanwhile, an unlikely source offers Cary aid to start his own firm, while the conflicted feelings Alicia has in her personal and professional lives come to a head.