Derek frantically searches the trial transcripts for reversible errors, and when his efforts are unsuccessful, he takes a desperate gamble and hires an assistant -- a young attorney named Laurel Banyon who has a reputation for creative lawyering.

Laurel, an ambitious and energetic newcomer, jumps at the chance to work with an experienced attorney of Derek Grainger's caliber. They work together day and night -- brainstorming, teasing, and growing closer despite Derek's secrets -- secrets he doesn't dare confide to Laurel.

To celebrated criminal defense attorney Derek Grainger, objectivity is the key to success. But how can he be objective when his new client, a convicted murderer, possesses information crucial to the welfare of Derek's five-year-old daughter and won't divulge it unless and until his conviction is reversed on appeal? Derek frantically searches the trial transcripts for reversible errors, and when his efforts are unsuccessful, he takes a desperate gamble and hires an assistantùa young attorney named Laurel Banyon who has a reputation for "creative lawyering." Laurel, an ambitious and energetic newcomer, jumps at the chance to work with an experienced attorney of Derek Grainger's caliber. They work together day and nightùbrainstorming, teasing, and growing closer despite Derek's secretsùsecrets he doesn't dare confide to Laurel. Chemistry and long hours continually sabotage their efforts to keep the relationship on a professional level, but they're running out of time, and Derek needs Laurel's objectivity more than her love. Or so he thinks.