Common Law

John Alvarez, played by standup comic Greg Giraldo, is an unconventional Hispanic attorney who stands out among his conservative co-workers at a prestigious Manhattan law firm. Though educated at Harvard, he was born and raised in Queens and remains loyal to his blue-collar upbringing and his neighborhood friends.

One colleague John has won over with his witty, irreverence is Nancy Slaton, a beautiful young attorney from the Upper East Side. They recently moved in together, to the disapproval of both John's old-fashioned dad and their firm, which does not allow intra-office romance.

Other folks at the office are Maria Marquez, the firm's quick-witted office manager; Henry Beckett, the pompous heir-apparent to leadership of the firm; and Peter Gutenhimmel, the insecure son of one of the partners.

1st Season 1996

1. "Pilot"
   gs: Steven Gilborn [ Richard ], John Di Maggio [ Francis ], Thom Barry [ Charlie ], Murray Rubin [ Ed ], Tim DeKay [ Alex ], Charlie Hartsok [ The Lawyer ]

   John and Nancy are tapped on short notice to work together on a big case that could make their careers. Nancy's anxious to get the job done, but John's first priority is to bail a buddy out of jail. Meanwhile, John's old-fashioned father tries to deal with his son's living arrangements.

   b: 28 Sep 96 pc: _________ w: Rob LaZebnik d: Robby Benson

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2. _"In the Matter of: John's Fifteen Minutes"
   gs: Marian Mercer [ Bunny ], Richard Fancy [ Martin Gutenhimmel ], Frances X. McCarthy [ Bob ], Monica Allison [ Sandy Garrett ], Bob Gloubermas [ David Kurn ], Michael Rayesses [ The Guy ], Antoinette Peragine [ The Broad ]

   John wins over the media-and Nancy's snobbish parents-by scoring a major victory in court, but ends up having to defend himself when he's misquoted in the press.

   b: 5 Oct 96 pc: _________ w: ______________ d: ______________

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3. _"In the Matter of: Acceptance"
   gs: Carmen Zapata [ Rosa ], Richard Fancy [ Martin Gutenhimmel ], Suzy Nakamura [ Suzy Yamamoto ]

   In an attempt to get Luis to like her, Nancy offers to take his visiting cousin sightseeing, but her tour of duty gets off to a bad start when she loses the woman.

   b: 12 Oct 96 pc: _________ w: ______________ d: ______________

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4. _"In the Matter of: Luis in Love"
   gs: Belita Moreno [ Ruta ], Kathleen Freeman [ The Danish Lady ], Winifred Freedman [ Helen ], Sue Murphy [ The Woman ]

   Nancy convinces John to help her set up with a woman they work with, but the plan fails when Luis alarms-rather than charms-his date.

   b: 19 Oct 96 pc: _________ w: ______________ d: ______________

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5. _"In the Matter of: Need"
   gs: Kevin McDonald [ Allen ], Lauren Katz [ Sally ], Kevin Weisman [ Eddie ], Steven Gilborn [ Richard Stern ]

   When John is offered a great job in Washington, D.C., Nancy's foolish, independent pride won't allow her to admit that she doesn't want him to leave. Meanwhile, Henry is using every possible kiss-up tactic to get the position for himself.

   b: UNAIRED pc: _________ w: ______________ d: ______________

More unaired episodes?