Ally McBeal, a 28-year-old graduate of Harvard Law School, joins a high-power law firm. However, after reporting harassment by a senior associate to the firm partners, she is fired. When Ally bumps into Richard Fish, a former classmate, he offers her a position at his new law firm.
Ally is assigned to litigation when Fish's partner, John Cage, is faced with possible jail time and certain public humiliation. Meanwhile, Fish invites Ally to dinner with a wealthy potential client, but Ally is shocked when she realizes the dinner is a double date, not a meet-and-greet with a client.
Ally worries that Cheanie is hiding something when he doesn't kiss her on their first date. Meanwhile, Georgia asks for Ally's help with an age discrimination case. However, the case becomes awkward when the opposing litigator is the man that Ally tried to sue for sexual harassment at her old firm.
When an former law professor passes away, Ally is asked to be a pallbearer as well as giving the eulogy at the funeral.
After being arrested for aggravated assault and attempted shoplifting, Ally must go before the State Bar Review Board.