20 Best Women Lawyers On TV, Ranked

Legal dramas have a long and successful history on television, with memorable lawyers often portrayed as champions of the underdog or as enablers of the rich and powerful. While most shows in this genre are well-received, All’s Fair stands out as an exception, hampered by unconvincing characters and implausible plots.

It’s a shame that the all-female cast of All’s Fair didn’t quite live up to its potential as a legal drama. The show had a strong premise, and some of the best legal shows on TV demonstrate just how compelling and effective female lawyers can be.

20. Sophia Perez (Eva Longoria)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

I always loved Eva Longoria’s guest spot on Brooklyn Nine-Nine! She played Sophia Perez, a defense attorney, and even though she wasn’t on for many episodes, she really shook things up. It was brilliant because the show is usually all about the cops, but Sophia brought in a totally different viewpoint, making Jake and everyone else actually think about things from the other side. It was a surprisingly impactful role, and honestly, one of Longoria’s best!

Sophia, as Jake’s romantic partner, consistently challenged his thinking and values, particularly when the demands of their jobs created tension. She powerfully argued for the vital role of defense lawyers, and even won against him in court, forcing Jake to reconsider his tendency to rush to judgment and rely solely on his authority as a police officer. This ultimately helped him mature and broaden his perspective.

19. Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany)

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law

The Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law received mixed reactions, as some viewers found the combination of superhero action and legal comedy didn’t quite work. However, Tatiana Maslany’s performance as She-Hulk was widely praised. She brought a delightful and witty energy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reminiscent of the show Ally McBeal.

Jennifer Walters, a lawyer, brought a unique perspective to superhero stories by focusing on the legal consequences of actions taken by people with superpowers. The show’s weekly cases were especially notable, as they let Jennifer demonstrate her intelligence and compassion while defending individuals with enhanced abilities – a world she knows firsthand because she shares their powers.

18. Abby Stone (Melissa Rauch)

Night Court (2023)

Melissa Rauch’s portrayal of Judge Abby Stone in the 2023 revival of Night Court cleverly reimagined the original series with a female lead, while still paying tribute to the show’s history. As the daughter of the beloved Judge Harry Stone from the original Night Court, Abby brought the same hopeful spirit to the courtroom, but with a fresh, contemporary perspective.

Abby firmly believed people deserved second chances, and she was skilled at being both understanding and firm. She handled each case with genuine kindness, a unique personality, and a strong understanding of emotions, creating a courtroom atmosphere that felt both familiar and modern. Rauch portrayed Abby with a lot of heart and clever humor, making her a fitting addition to the legacy of the Stone family.

17. Martha Costello QC (Maxine Peake)

Silk

I absolutely loved watching Martha Costello in Silk – Maxine Peake was incredible! She really showed what it’s like for women trying to make it as barristers. The show did a fantastic job of illustrating all the pressure they face, especially when striving for that ultimate recognition – becoming ‘silk’ – in a profession that’s historically been run by men. It was so compelling to watch her navigate that world.

Martha is a compelling character because she’s both deeply empathetic and firmly principled – she believes in doing what’s right without being unrealistic, and she cares deeply for others while remaining strong. The actor Peake perfectly portrays this, showing Martha’s ability to stay resilient and focused even when facing difficult cases, office drama, and personal struggles.

16. Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington)

Scandal

While Kerry Washington is famous for playing the crisis manager Olivia Pope in Scandal, her character’s legal background is key to how she handles the intense situations she faces. Olivia uses her legal training, strategic thinking, and passion for advocacy to solve every problem.

Olivia’s background in law gives her a sharp eye for detail, a strong sense of right and wrong (even when she pushes the boundaries), and the ability to anticipate consequences. She became famous for solving seemingly unsolvable problems with grace and skill. As a powerful figure on television, she changed the way lawyers are portrayed, showing them as brave, complex, and truly memorable.

15. Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon)

Sex And The City

Miranda Hobbes perfectly portrayed the challenges and triumphs of being a woman lawyer in the early 2000s. Her professional success often made her personal life difficult, as it could be intimidating to potential partners and meant she had to deal with unfair expectations that her male coworkers didn’t experience.

When she decides to start a family, her partners often measure her commitment by how much time she spends working, instead of recognizing her skills or hard work – a common problem for many mothers who have careers. Actress Cynthia Nixon brilliantly portrayed Miranda Hobbes as intelligent, funny, and very practical.

Miranda’s strengths helped her succeed as a lawyer, but they could sometimes make her seem a bit difficult in personal relationships. Despite this, she was always honest and loyal, making her a remarkably genuine portrayal of a working woman on Sex and the City.

14. Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad)

The Cosby Show

Phylicia Rashad’s role as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show was groundbreaking. She was one of the first Black women to play a lawyer on television, and her portrayal continues to be highly impactful. While the show focused on family life and rarely showed Clair at work, Rashad conveyed her character’s poise, intelligence, and strength in both her professional and personal life.

Clair Huxtable was a powerful role model, particularly for young Black girls, showing them what success, a balanced life, and confidence could look like. Though the show didn’t always focus on her work, her portrayal of a successful attorney made it normal to see Black women thriving in powerful careers, and encouraged a generation to dream big for themselves.

13. Annalise Keating (Viola Davis)

How To Get Away With Murder

Viola Davis delivers a powerful performance as Annalise Keating, a lawyer who is both incredibly smart and seriously flawed. She’s a commanding and brilliant law professor and lawyer in the courtroom, but she’s also a complex character who often bends the rules, covers up the truth, and keeps secrets that are as troubling as those of the people she defends.

It’s important to show complex characters, and that includes women, particularly women of color. They deserve to be portrayed with all their flaws and strengths, not just as perfect examples. Annalise is compelling because she’s a mix of vulnerability and strength, and makes mistakes, yet we still find ourselves supporting her.

12. Casey Novak (Diane Neal)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

I was always a huge fan of Casey Novak on Law & Order: SVU – Diane Neal really brought her to life! What I loved most was that Casey wasn’t afraid to fight hard for what she believed in, even if it meant bending the rules a little. She definitely wasn’t like other prosecutors; she took risks and wasn’t afraid to push things to the limit. It made watching the show so much more interesting, even if her methods sometimes rubbed people the wrong way. She was a fantastic match for the detectives and really kept them on their toes.

She was deeply dedicated to helping victims, and her ability to understand their pain, combined with her strong legal mind, led her to develop innovative strategies and tackle challenging cases. Throughout the series, Novak evolved as a character, particularly when her strong feelings conflicted with legal procedures and ethical boundaries, making her a truly memorable and influential prosecutor in the SVU universe.

11. Helen Gamble (Lara Flynn Boyle)

The Practice

Helen, the Assistant District Attorney on The Practice, really felt the weight of trying to get justice in a complicated legal system. She was very competitive and wasn’t afraid to argue with defense lawyers – even her friends – if she thought it was necessary to win a case.

Helen was a captivating character because she was driven, yet also sensitive and struggled with difficult moral choices. She always aimed to do what was right, but her job often forced her to make uneasy compromises. Lara Flynn Boyle brilliantly portrayed this complexity, highlighting how Helen’s ambition was both her biggest asset and her greatest weakness.

2025-11-24 01:23