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Episode: 19 Production #: 119 First Air Date: April 9, 2002 Teleplay: David Hollander & Michael R. Perry Story by: Hollander, Perry and Rick Eid Director: Jerry Levine Guest Stars:
Johnny Sneed as Brian Olson
Fan Rating: 7/10 (Average of all fan submitted ratings) Synopsis: Finding himself between a rock and a hard place, Nick Fallin has a decision to make before his upcoming probation hearing. Nick's probation officer, Dale Petrocki, has threatened to submit a negative probation report at the hearing if Nick doesn't help him with a business contract. Dale plans to purchase a gentleman's club with his girlfriend, Mandy. In the meantime, Burton Fallin pursues a nomination for the Federal Judiciary. Due to the fact that Nick doesn't want his probation problems to interfere with his father's bid for judgeship, Nick decides to help Dale. However, things go bad when Dale agrees to sign the contract against Nick's advice. When Dale discovers that he will lose his deposit and that Mandy had set him up, a violent fight breaks out, ending in gunfire. Meanwhile, James Mooney struggles to teach his nephew, Levi, the importance of staying out of trouble by introducing him to Toph, a friend of James' who is in a wheelchair as a result of gang violence. After little success, James takes Levi to a boxing ring to fight it out.
The harsh reality of racism against Muslims is the issue in Nick Fallin's most recent case for Legal Services. The parents of Perry Hudson, a young Caucasian male, are suing Ahmad Hassan, a Middle-Eastern restaurant owner, for assault and battery. Ahmad broke Perry's hand with a bat after Perry vandalized and broke into Ahmad's restaurant. Nick suggests that Ahmad counter with charges of a hate crime but Ahmad hesitates due to the trouble it may bring. Then, the case takes on a new twist when Nick discovers that Ahmad's daughter, Salaam, had recently broken off a relationship with Perry. Now the question becomes: was this crime motivated by hate or love? Meanwhile, loyalties at Fallin & Assoc. are tested as one of the long-time partners, Larry Hines, leaves the firm for one of Burton's biggest competitors, Kirk & McGee. Larry not only attempts to steal clients but also tries poaching the associates at Fallin & Assoc., including Nick.
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