The American television police procedural and legal drama Law & Order (1990–2010 & 2022–present) follows the fictional cases of a group of police detectives and prosecutors who represent the public in the criminal justice system. Law & Order is known for its revolving cast, as most of its original stars had left the show within the first five seasons.[1] The longest serving main cast members of the original series include Jerry Orbach as Det. Lennie Briscoe (1992–2004), S. Epatha Merkerson as Lt. Anita Van Buren (1993–2010) and Sam Waterston as EADA/DA Jack McCoy (1994–2010 & 2022–2024).

Characters

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Position Seasons
123456789M101112131415161718192021222324
Max GreeveyGeorge DzundzaSergeantMDoes not appear
Mike LoganChris NothJr. DetectiveMainDoes not appearMDoes not appear
Donald CragenDann FlorekCaptainMainDoes not appearGDoes not appearMGDoes not appearGDoes not appear
Ben StoneMichael MoriartyEADAMainDoes not appear
Paul RobinetteRichard BrooksADAMainDoes not appearGDoes not appearGDoes not appear
Adam SchiffSteven HillDAMainDoes not appearMDoes not appear
Phil CerretaPaul SorvinoSergeantDoes not appearMDoes not appear
Elizabeth OlivetCarolyn McCormickPsychologistDoes not appearRARecurringDoes not appearGDoes not appearGDoes not appearRGRecurringGDoes not appear
Lennie BriscoeJerry OrbachSr. DetectiveDoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Anita Van BurenS. Epatha MerkersonLieutenantDoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Claire KincaidJill HennessyADADoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Jack McCoySam WaterstonEADA
Interim DA
DA
Does not appearMainDoes not appear
Rey CurtisBenjamin BrattJr. DetectiveDoes not appearMainDoes not appearGDoes not appear
Jamie RossCarey LowellADADoes not appearMDoes not appearGDoes not appearGDoes not appear
Abbie CarmichaelAngie HarmonADADoes not appearMDoes not appearMDoes not appear
Ed GreenJesse L. MartinJr. Detective
Sr. Detective
Does not appearMainDoes not appear
Nora LewinDianne WiestInterim DADoes not appearMDoes not appear
Serena SoutherlynElisabeth RöhmADADoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Arthur BranchFred ThompsonDADoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Joe FontanaDennis FarinaSr. DetectiveDoes not appearMDoes not appear
Nick FalcoMichael ImperioliJr. DetectiveDoes not appearMGDoes not appear
Alexandra BorgiaAnnie ParisseADADoes not appearMDoes not appear
Nina CassadyMilena GovichJr. DetectiveDoes not appearMDoes not appear
Connie RubirosaAlana de la GarzaADADoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Cyrus LupoJeremy SistoJr. Detective
Sr. Detective
Does not appearMainDoes not appear
Michael CutterLinus RoacheEADADoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Kevin BernardAnthony AndersonJr. Detective
Sr. Detective
Does not appearMainDoes not appear
Frank CosgroveJeffrey DonovanJr. Detective
Sr. Detective
Does not appearMDoes not appear
Kate DixonCamryn ManheimLieutenantDoes not appearMainDoes not appear
Nolan PriceHugh DancyEADADoes not appearMain
Samantha MarounOdelya HaleviADADoes not appearMain
Jalen ShawMehcad BrooksJr. Detective
Sr. Detective
Does not appearMain
Vincent RileyReid ScottJr. DetectiveDoes not appearM
Nicholas BaxterTony GoldwynDADoes not appearM
Jessica BradyMaura TierneyLieutenant[2]Does not appearM [3]
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Main characters

More information Actor, Character ...
Actor Character Rank/Position Seasons Notes
Regular Recurring Guest
George DzundzaMax GreeveySergeant1
Chris NothMike LoganJunior Detective1–5Appeared in Exiled
Dann FlorekDonald CragenCaptain1–35, 10 & 15
Michael MoriartyBen StoneEADA1–4
Richard BrooksPaul RobinetteADA1–36, 16 & 17
Steven HillAdam SchiffDA1–10
Paul SorvinoPhil CerretaSergeant2 & 33
Jerry OrbachLennie BriscoeSenior Detective3–14Appeared in Exiled
Carolyn McCormickElizabeth OlivetPsychologist3 & 45–7, 13, 14, & 16–182, 9, 10, 19 & 20
S. Epatha MerkersonAnita Van BurenLieutenant4–20Appeared in Exiled
Jill HennessyClaire KincaidADA4–6
Sam WaterstonJack McCoyEADA,
Interim DA & DA
5–23Appeared in Exiled
Benjamin BrattRey CurtisJunior Detective6–920
Carey LowellJamie RossADA7 & 810, 11 & 21
Angie HarmonAbbie Carmichael9–11
Jesse L. MartinEd GreenJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
10–18
Dianne WiestNora LewinInterim DA11 & 12
Elisabeth RöhmSerena SoutherlynADA12–15
Fred Dalton ThompsonArthur BranchDA13–17
Dennis FarinaJoe FontanaSenior Detective15 & 16
Annie ParisseAlexandra BorgiaADA
Michael ImperioliNick FalcoJunior Detective1516Temporarily assigned
Milena GovichNina Cassady17
Alana de la GarzaConnie RubirosaADA17–20
Jeremy SistoCyrus LupoJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
18–20
Linus RoacheMichael CutterEADA
Anthony AndersonKevin BernardJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
18–2118
Jeffrey DonovanFrank Cosgrove21 & 22
Camryn ManheimKate DixonLieutenant21–23
Hugh DancyNolan PriceEADA21–present
Odelya HaleviSamantha MarounADA
Mehcad BrooksJalen ShawJunior Detective,
Senior Detective
22–present
Reid ScottVincent RileyJunior Detective23–present
Tony GoldwynNicholas BaxterDA
Maura TierneyJessica BradyLieutenant[4]24–present
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Police officers

Sergeants

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Year Episodes Junior Partners Notes
Max GreeveyGeorge Dzundza1990–199123Mike LoganMurdered in 1991.[5][6][7] [Note: The title card for the episode indicates his murder occurred on Friday, April 6th, which would mean he was murdered in 1990.][8]
Phil CerretaPaul Sorvino1991–199231Transferred to a desk job at the 110th Precinct after being shot.
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Senior detectives

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Year Episodes Junior Partners Notes
Lennie BriscoeJerry Orbach1992–2004273
  • Mike Logan
    (1992–1995)
  • Rey Curtis
    (1995–1999)
  • Ed Green
    (1999–2004)
  • Retired (2004)
  • Deceased (2005) (due to Jerry Orbach's death in December 2004).
Joe FontanaDennis Farina2004–200646
  • Ed Green
    (2004–2006)
  • Nick Falco
    (2005)
  • Retired (2006).
Ed GreenJesse L. Martin2006–2008198
  • Nina Cassady
    (2006–2007)
  • Cyrus Lupo
    (2008)
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2006).
  • Retired following his absolution during an IAB investigation (2008).
Cyrus LupoJeremy Sisto2008–201063Kevin Bernard
  • Transferred from Intelligence Division (2008).
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2008).
Kevin BernardAnthony Anderson202260Frank Cosgrove
  • Transferred from IAB (2008)
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2022)
  • Most likely retired, resigned or transferred (2022)
Frank CosgroveJeffrey Donovan2022–202332Jalen Shaw
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2022).
  • Let go by IAB (2024)
Jalen ShawMehcad Brooks2024–TBDVincent Riley
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2024).
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Junior detectives

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Year Episodes Senior Partners Notes
Mike LoganChris Noth1990–1995111
  • Max Greevey
    (1990–1991)
  • Phil Cerreta
    (1991–1992)
  • Lennie Briscoe
    (1992–1995)
  • Assigned to Staten Island from 1995 to 2005 after punching a homophobic politician.
  • Solved a major murder & police corruption case in Exiled.
  • Joined One Police Plaza's Major Case Squad 2005–2008.
  • Retired after solving a cold case (CI: "Last Rites").
Rey CurtisBenjamin Bratt1995–199994Lennie Briscoe
  • Took early retirement so he could care for his ill wife (1999).
  • Returned in 2009 to bury his deceased wife in New York.
Ed GreenJesse L. Martin1999–2006198
  • Lennie Briscoe
    (1999–2004)
  • Joe Fontana
    (2004–2006)
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2006).
  • Retired following his absolution during an IAB investigation (2008).
Nick FalcoMichael Imperioli20055Joe Fontana
  • Temporary replacement from Brooklyn for Ed Green, while Green was recovering from a gunshot wound.
  • Appears again in 2006 as a murder suspect, but was later cleared.
Nina CassidyMilena Govich2006–200722Ed Green
  • Nicknamed "Detective Beauty Queen" after her involvement in a shooting that led to her promotion.
  • Dismissed in 2007, although no reason is given on the show.
Cyrus LupoJeremy Sisto200863
  • Transferred from Intelligence Division (2008).
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2008).
Kevin BernardAnthony Anderson2008–201051Cyrus Lupo
  • Transferred from IAB (2008).
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2022).
  • Most likely retired, resigned or transferred (2022).
Frank CosgroveJeffrey Donovan202210Kevin Bernard
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2022).
  • Let go and jammed up by IAB (2024).
Jalen ShawMehcad Brooks2022–22Frank Cosgrove
  • Transferred from another Homicide Division (2022).
  • Promoted to Senior Detective (2024).
Vincent RileyReid Scott2024–TBDJalen Shaw
  • Recruited by Lieutenant Kate Dixon (2024).
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Supervising officers

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Rank Year Episodes Notes
Donald CragenDann FlorekCaptain1990–199366
  • Transferred to the Anti-Corruption Task Force and later to the Manhattan Special Victims Unit.
  • Left the NYPD in 2014, taking a six month vacation that brought him up to the mandatory retirement age.
  • Returned briefly in 2015 to help the SVU re-examine a decades-old rape case.
  • Return in 2021 via video chat to help the SVU on a case.
  • Returned in 2022 to assist Stabler in a case.
Anita Van BurenS. Epatha MerkersonLieutenant1993–2010390
  • Most likely retired (2010).
Kate DixonCamryn ManheimLieutenant2022–202445
  • TBA (2024).
Jessica BradyMaura TierneyLieutenant2024-
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Prosecutors

Executive Assistant District Attorneys

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Year Partners Episodes Notes
Benjamin StoneMichael Moriarty1990–1994Paul Robinette,
Claire Kincaid
88
  • Resigns due to his feelings of guilt over the death of a witness whose safety he tried to guarantee.
  • In 1996, Adam Schiff informs Jack McCoy that Stone is travelling in Europe.
  • In 2018, an episode of Law & Order: SVU discusses his death, and shows his funeral.
Jack McCoySam Waterston1994–2007Claire Kincaid,
Jamie Ross,
Abbie Carmichael,
Serena Southerlyn,
Alexandra Borgia,
Connie Rubirosa
405
  • Promoted to interim New York County District Attorney (2008)
  • Begins his campaign to be elected as Manhattan DA in 2009, with support from Adam Schiff
  • Episode count includes first 303 episodes as Executive Assistant DA, DA thereafter
Michael CutterLinus Roache2008–2010Connie Rubirosa63
  • Promoted to Bureau Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of the DA's office (2011).
Nolan PriceHugh Dancy2022–Samantha MarounTBD
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Assistant District Attorneys

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Year Partners Episodes Notes
Paul RobinetteRichard Brooks1990–1993Ben Stone66
  • Resigns to pursue private practice in 1993.
  • Appears in three subsequent episodes as a defense attorney between 1996 and 2005.
Claire KincaidJill Hennessy1993–1996Ben Stone,
Jack McCoy
68
  • Dies in a car crash in 1996.
Jamie RossCarey Lowell1996–1998Jack McCoy48
  • Resigns to pursue private practice and to spend more time with her daughter (1998).
  • Reappears as a defense attorney in 1999 and 2001.
  • Reappears as a judge in Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005).
  • Reappears in season 21 episode "The Right Thing" (2022).
Abbie CarmichaelAngie Harmon1998–200172
Serena SoutherlynElisabeth Röhm2001–200585
  • Fired by Arthur Branch for being inappropriately sympathetic towards a defendant she was prosecuting (2005).
Alexandra BorgiaAnnie Parisse2005–200634
  • Dies after being kidnapped and beaten during a murder trial (2006).
Connie RubirosaAlana de la Garza2006–2010Jack McCoy,
Michael Cutter
85
  • Moves to Los Angeles and joins the DA's office there as a DDA (2011).
  • Later appears in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as a federal prosecutor leading an investigation into an underage sex trafficking operation (2014).
Samantha MarounOdelya Halevi2022–Nolan PriceTBD
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  • In the 1997 season 7 episode "We Like Mike", Caleb Duff is listed as Assistant District Attorney beneath Adam Schiff as District Attorney and John J. McCoy as Executive Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney's Office, though he never appears on screen.

Manhattan District Attorneys

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
Name Portrayed by Terms Episodes Notes
Alfred WentworthRoy Thinnes19881
Adam SchiffSteven Hill1990–2000228
Nora LewinDianne Wiest2000–200248
  • Prior to her appointment as interim DA by the Governor of New York, she was a law professor (2000), which often provoked her critics to dismiss her as a detached academic with no practical experience.[9]
  • Chooses not to run for election following her interim term (2002)
  • The first woman in the program's history to hold the position of New York County District Attorney.
Arthur BranchFred Thompson2002–2007116
Jack McCoySam Waterston2007–2010 & 2022–2024405
  • Appointed Interim DA after Branch's departure in 2007.
  • Begins his election campaign to become DA in 2009, winning the election that year.
  • Episode count includes first 303 episodes as Executive Assistant DA.
Nicholas BaxterTony Goldwyn2024–TBD
  • Appointed District Attorney after the departure of Jack McCoy.
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Other main characters

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearsEpisodes
Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth OlivetCarolyn McCormick1991–1997, 1999 & 2002–200987
Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth RodgersLeslie Hendrix1992–2010139
Psychiatrist Dr. Emil SkodaJ. K. Simmons1997–2004 & 201044
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Recurring characters

NYPD personnel

NYPD officials

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Chief of Detectives LairdJames Biberi2008–20103
Borough Chief Commander James DietzMichael Cullen1998–19993
Borough Detective Commander Joseph StrudevantDan Lauria2000–20012
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27th Precinct support detectives

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Detective Tony ProfaciJohn Fiore1990–199853 and Exiled
Detective GiaGia Galeano1994, 1995–199711
Detective Morris LeMotteLarry Clarke1998–200020
Detective Reina PerezNancy Ticotin20016
Detective Ana CordovaAndrea Navedo2001–200424
Sergeant MartinezJoe Gonzalez2002–20047
Detective Mariluz RiveraSelenis Leyva2004–200618
Detective Joe CormackJoe Forbrich2008–200917
Sergeant RoyceTijuana Ricks2009–20105
Detective Dani VertizShayvawn Webster20229
Detective Violet YeeConnie Shi2022–presentTBD
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Crime Scene Unit investigators / crime lab technicians

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Forensic Technician MedillDonald Corren1992–199917
Forensic Technician Arlene ShrierChristine Farrell16
CSU Technician Jessica ReedLiz Larsen1998–200612
CSU Technician Julian BeckJohn Cariani2002–200626
Computer Forensic Technician Myra CampMegan Byrne2003–20046
CSU Technician Lisa SantoroAbigail Lopez2004–20053
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Assistant Medical Examiners

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
BorakJosh Pais1990–200215
BrodyRichard Hirschfeld2002–200612
Dr. Karen WaxmanAngel Desai2003–20054
AnskelBaron Vaughn2008–20092
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Defense attorneys

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Danielle MelnickTovah Feldshuh1991–200713
Norman RothenbergJeffrey DeMunn1993–20088
Shambala GreenLorraine Toussaint1990–1994 & 20037
Larry WeaverBob Dishy1994–2002
James GranickNed Eisenberg1997–2009
Nick MargolisBen Shenkman1999–20096
Bill PattonBill Moor1991–2000
Helen BrolinMaria Tucci1993–2003
Peter BehrensTom O'Rourke1996–2001
Arthur GoldGeorge Grizzard1992–2000
Al ArcherDennis Boutsikaris1996–20045
Charles GarnettJames Rebhorn1995–2001
Douglas GreerRichard Venture1991–2000
Anne PaulsenGlynnis O'Connor1998–2004
Sanford RemzDylan Baker2004–2006 & 2022–2023
Sally BellEdie Falco1993–19984
Aaron SolomonJohn Benjamin Hickey2002–2006
Daniel MetzlerJohn Cunningham1997–2008
Mr. AxtellJack Gilpin1997–2001
Barry KauferLee Shepherd1998–2002
Charlotte SwanHelen Carey1999–2005
Leon ChilesJoe Morton2000–2005
Gordon SchellPhilip Bosco1990–19943
Deirdre PowellJoanna Merlin1994–1998
Max HellmanRon Orbach1994 & 2002
James LindeJoe Grifasi1996–2001
Paul RobinetteRichard Brooks1996, 2005 & 2006
Stephen OlsonSpencer Garrett2000–2004
Erica GardnerKate Burton2001–2004
Jessica SheetsSusan Floyd2002–2006
Randy DworkinPeter Jacobson2003–2006
Vanessa GalianoRoma Maffia
Madeline MyersKate Miller2003–2007
Rodney FallonGiancarlo Esposito2004–2005
Gary LowenthalEric Bogosian1992–19932
Lanie StieglitzElaine Stritch1992 & 1997
Ruth MillerPatti LuPone1996 & 1997
Stan ShatensteinSig Libowitz1997 & 2005
Bernie AdlerRon Silver2004–2007
GrubmanElizabeth Marvel2008–2009
Marcus WollJonathan Cake2009
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Judges

Arraignment judges

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Arraignment Judge Morris TorledskyDavid Lipman1992–200526
Arraignment Judge Colin FraserLarry Sherman1994–200412
Arraignment Judge Harriet DoremusBarbara Spiegel1991–2003
Arraignment Judge Janice GoldbergFran Lebowitz2001–2007
Arraignment Judge Ian FeistMerwin Goldsmith1991–200511
Arraignment Judge William KoehlerMark Kenneth Smaltz1998–2007
Arraignment Judge Antonia MellonMary Lou Mellace1999–20069
Arraignment Judge Joseph FlintDoug Stender1999–2005
Arraignment Judge Anna ShiroKaren Shallo2000–20058
Arraignment Judge David VenturelliVince Pacimeo1998–20004
Arraignment Judge Lisa CutlerKathleen Chalfant2001–20093
Arraignment Judge HarperBrian Smiar19902
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Trial judges

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Trial Judge Alan BermanDavid Rosenbaum1992–200414
Trial Judge Walter BradleyPeter McRobbie2001–200913
Trial Judge Lisa PongracicCharlotte Colavin1992–2006
Trial Judge Elizabeth MizenerLynn Cohen1993–200612
Trial Judge Walter SchreiberJohn Ramsey1991–200111
Trial Judge Margaret BarryDoris Belack1990–200110
Trial Judge Herman MooneyBen Hammer1991–20029
Trial Judge Harrison TaylorMichael Mulheren1999–2006
Trial Judge Andrew BarskyFred J. Scollay1992–19998
Trial Judge Donald KaranJordan Charney2000–2006
Trial Judge Grace LarkinRochelle Oliver1993–2003
Trial Judge Rebecca SteinJoan Copeland1991–2001
Trial Judge Rebecca SteinmanSusan Blommaert1991–2004
Trial Judge Deborah BurkeDonna Hanover1997–20047
Trial Judge Michael CallahanBernie McInerney1991–1999
Trial Judge Henry FillmoreWilliam Severs1991–2004
Trial Judge Rosalyn LenzTanya Berezin1991–2001
Trial Judge Barbara LuskyIris Little Thomas1999–2009
Trial Judge Eric CaffeyJohn Newton1991–19986
Trial Judge Rochelle DesmondPatricia R. Floyd2006–2009
Trial Judge Nathan MurphyMark Zimmerman1997–2008
Trial Judge Robert QuinnRoger Serbagi1992–1999
Trial Judge Joseph RiveraShawn Elliott1994–2002
Trial Judge Carla SolomonLauren Klein1999–2005
Trial Judge William WrightRon McLarty1998–20004
Trial Judge Hugo BrightRobert J. Hogan2003–2006
Trial Judge Delano BurnsMike Hodge1991–2006
Trial Judge John LaramiePeter Francis James2008–2010
Trial Judge Manuel LeonSam Gray1990–1994
Trial Judge Michael SchneiderDavid Little2004–2006
Trial Judge Leanne DrebenMilica Govich2022–2024
Trial Judge Norman BarclayWayne Duvall2004–20103
Trial Judge Gary FeldmanCliff Gorman1998
Trial Judge Eric BertramGeorge Murdock1992–1999
Trial Judge Derek HafnerDavid Wolos-Fonteno2001–2009
Trial Judge Elayne LinkMaggie Burke1993–2003
Trial Judge Ida ZellerPolly Adams2009
Trial Judge Keith FischerTom Mardirosian2004–20062
Trial Judge Linda TaftJenna Stern2009–2010
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Appellate judges

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Appellate Judge Pamela JensenNorma Fire1993–20037
Appellate Judge Shawn McNamaraGeorge Bartenieff1993–19994
Appellate Judge BloomIra Wheeler1991–19932
Appellate Judge Lewis GetmanLeslie Barrett1991–1993
Appellate Judge Barry MartonGraham Brown1991–1993
Appellate Judge Wayne HumphreyChester A. Sims II1993–1995
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Guest characters

Defense attorneys

More information Name, Portrayed by ...
NamePortrayed byYearEpisodes
Clay BollockXander Berkeley2005"Fluency"
DepagoVyto Ruginis2006"Public Service Homicide"
Leslie DrakeDan Hedaya1997"Baby, It's You"
Paul KopellRon Leibman1995"House Counsel"
Harold MortonVictor Raider-Wexler1991"Mushrooms"
Bill WendyllRobert LuPone1994"Breeder"
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See also

References

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