Fairly Legal

Kate Reed is a firm believer that justice can always be found – even if it's not always in the courtroom. Once a lawyer at her family's esteemed San Francisco firm, Kate's frustration with the legal system led her to a new career as a mediator. Thanks to her innate understanding of human nature, thorough legal knowledge, and wry sense of humor, Kate is a natural when it comes to dispute resolution. Except, it seems, when it comes to conflicts in her own life.

Fairly Legal (2011-2012) is a United States dramedy series created by Michael Sardo for USA Network. Sarah Shahi plays Kate Reed, a former lawyer from a prominent San Francisco family firm who now works as a mediator, using her innate understanding of human nature and wry humor to settle disputes. Virginia Williams plays her sister Lauren Reed, while Ryan Johnson, Baron Vaughn and Michael Trucco fill out the principal ensemble around her. Across two seasons and twenty-three episodes, the show follows a case-of-the-week format in which each client conflict becomes a fresh puzzle to untangle through negotiation, empathy and sharp legal instinct. Each episode builds toward a settlement, while the continuing storylines follow Kate's own romantic and family tangles, which resist the easy resolutions she offers others. Set in contemporary San Francisco, the series blends the polished glamour of a city law firm world with the warmth of a family drama. Its tone is breezy, witty and sincere, with an undercurrent of wistful longing. Fans of Suits, The Good Wife and Ally McBeal will find resonance in its mix of legal problem solving and character-driven comedy.

Audience reception is positive, with viewers appreciating the mediation-centered legal stories and the lead's wit and warmth.

• Suitslegal dramedy with mediation and everyday justice, workplace-family dynamics
• The Good Wifelawyer protagonist with wry humor and courtroom-adjacent storylines
• Ally McBeallight legal drama with a witty female lead and case-of-the-week structure

Created by

Michael Sardo

Release Date

2011-01-20

Episode runtime

41 min

Rating

7.3 / 10 (63)

What is Fairly Legal about?

A former San Francisco litigator turned mediator uses her legal knowledge and wit to resolve other people's disputes while her own life stays messy.

What is Fairly Legal like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fairly Legal as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Fairly Legal violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Fairly Legal.

What did critics think of Fairly Legal?

Audience reception is positive, with viewers appreciating the mediation-centered legal stories and the lead's wit and warmth.

Which shows are like Fairly Legal?

Shows with a similar feel include Suits, The Good Wife, and Ally McBeal.

How long is Fairly Legal?

Fairly Legal: 2 seasons, 23 episodes.

Is Fairly Legal still running?

No, Fairly Legal was canceled.

Where can I watch Fairly Legal?

In United States, Fairly Legal streams on Peacock Premium, Xumo Play, Peacock Premium Plus.