Crane, Poole & Schmidt

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Crane, Poole & Schmidt is a fictional law firm based in Boston, Massachusetts which is the setting of the ABC TV show Boston Legal, created by David E. Kelley (although it was first introduced in the final episodes of The Practice).

[edit] Crane, Poole & Schmidt Attorneys

The following attorneys work at Crane, Poole & Schmidt's main office in Boston at the start of the show's third season:

Named partners:

• Denny Crane (William Shatner)
• Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen)
• Edwin M. Poole (Larry Miller): Guest star Miller has appeared only a few times; Poole spends most of the series on extended leave as a patient in a mental hospital.

Significant partners:

• Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois)
• Brad Chase (Mark Valley)
• Jeffrey Coho (Craig Bierko)

Significant associates:

• Alan Shore (James Spader)
• Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen)
• Claire Simms (Constance Zimmer)

Other personnel:

• Catherine Piper (Betty White): previously Alan Shore's secretary, currently the sandwich lady
• Melissa Hughes (Marisa Coughlan): Alan's secretary until the 2006 episode "Trick or Treat", in which she announces that she has been transferred to Jeffrey Coho after they "clicked".

The following people were shown as working at Crane, Poole & Schmidt in the past, but either left, were transferred or were fired from the firm:

• Sally Heep (Lake Bell)
• Lori Colson (Monica Potter)
• Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra)
• Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson)

The following people were shown as working at Crane, Poole & Schmidt in the past, but no reason for their disappearance was given, so they might re-appear at CP&S in the future:

• Hannah Rose (Rebecca De Mornay)
• Matthew Billings (Vince Colosimo)
• Sara Holt (Ryan Michelle Bathe)
• Garrett Wells (Justin Mentell)

The following people work at Crane, Poole & Schmidt in offices outside Boston:

• Barry Gold (Robert Wagner): The "West Coast" Denny Crane, head of the Los Angeles office. Wagner guest-starred in the second season finale.
• Marlene Stanger (Parker Posey): Worked briefly at the Boston office in season 2, transferred to the New York office in season 3.

[edit] Attorney Roles

Denny Crane primarily serves as a figurehead for the firm, taking advantage of every opportunity to further his own public presence in the media. He has given many memorable interviews, including one on CNN's Larry King Live. Crane occasionally argues cases in court, but is past his prime and is prone to forgetfulness.

Paul Lewiston and Shirley Schmidt spend much of their time trying to maintain the firm's integrity and financial security, both of which are constantly under threat from the absurd behavior of Denny and Edwin. Paul's role at the firm seems to be mostly administrative. Although he is very rarely shown working on any legal cases, his authority on every practical level is seen as equal to that of the other senior partners.

Boston Legal

Alan Shore | Denny Crane | Shirley Schmidt Brad Chase | Paul Lewiston | Denise Bauer | Jeffrey Coho

Crane, Poole & Schmidt

List of Boston Legal episodes