Beyond Law & Order: Top 10 Underrated Legal Drama Series

1. The Guardian (2001-2004)

While courtroom dramas were making television audiences object from overuse, CBS quietly aired The Guardian. The show followed the troubled life of corporate attorney Nick Fallin (Simon Baker), who was sentenced to community service at a children's legal services office due to drug-related charges.

The series expertly balanced corporate legal battles with the more personal, often heart-wrenching cases of child advocacy. Despite Simon Baker's later success with The Mentalist, The Guardian is often overlooked. It's worth noting that this series showcased some of the best examples of character development, earning it a respectable 7.4/10 score on IMDb.

2. Judging Amy (1999-2005)

Inspired by the real-life story of Judge Amy Berman Jackson, Judging Amy was a touching and nuanced series that unfortunately didn't get the recognition it deserved. The show centered on Amy Gray (Amy Brenneman), a single mom juggling her career as a judge with her family life. It was a unique blend of family and legal drama, adding a more personal touch to the traditional court proceedings. Notably, Tyne Daly's portrayal of Amy's mother won her a well-deserved Emmy.

3. Murder One (1995-1997)

Before Breaking Bad took the 'one-story-per-season' approach, there was Murder One, an ambitious, underrated legal drama that dared to spend an entire season on a single case. Despite being brought to us by Steven Bochco, the mastermind behind NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues, the show was ultimately overshadowed by its contemporaries.

Daniel Benzali starred as Teddy Hoffman, a charismatic, bald-headed defense attorney (no, not that one) defending a Hollywood star in a high-profile murder case. Despite its low ratings, Murder One was critically acclaimed for its intricate storytelling, garnering a Primetime Emmy and landing a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. Eli Stone (2008-2009)

This whimsical legal drama sprinkled with fantasy elements (including the protagonist's hallucinations of George Michael performances) was perhaps a bit too avant-garde for the mainstream audience. Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) was a cutthroat San Francisco lawyer whose life took a turn for the divine when he began having prophetic visions.

Critics praised the show for its originality and heart, and the cast, including Loretta Devine and Victor Garber, were standout performers. The fact that it was canceled after just two seasons is a true crime against quality television, honestly.

5. The Practice (1997-2004)

Despite running for eight seasons, The Practice often finds itself lost in the shuffle of lawyer-themed shows. The series was a grittier, less glamorized look at law, following a firm of passionate, if morally ambiguous, defense attorneys in Boston. Not only did The Practice spawn the highly successful Boston Legal, but it was also the launching pad for James Spader's legendary portrayal of Alan Shore. Still, many people have no idea that such a goldmine of rich characters and compelling legal battles exists.

6. Philly (2001-2002)

Before Kim Delaney became a household name with NYPD Blue, she was front and center in Philly, a show created by Steven Bochco. Delaney starred as Kathleen Maguire, a hard-working lawyer and single mother navigating the high-stakes world of Philadelphia's legal circuit. Kathleen was known for taking on tough cases, ranging from murder trials to custody battles, often grappling with ethical dilemmas.

One unique aspect was the antagonistic relationship with her ex-husband (also an attorney), which added a personal twist to the courtroom confrontations. Despite the unique setup and a brilliant lead, the show was canceled after one season.

7. JAG (1995-2005)

This military-themed legal drama often gets overshadowed by its more successful spin-off, NCIS. However, JAG (short for Judge Advocate General) was a compelling series in its own right. Harmon Rabb (David James Elliott), a former fighter pilot turned lawyer, took center stage in high-stakes military cases alongside his partner, Sarah Mac MacKenzie (Catherine Bell). The show handled a variety of issues such as war crimes, espionage, and military justice, blending the intensity of courtroom drama with the thrill of military action.

8. Family Law (1999-2002)

This CBS drama starring Kathleen Quinlan put an interesting spin on the legal drama formula by focusing primarily on family law. Quinlan's character, Lynn Holt, has her life turned upside down when her partner (and husband) leaves her and takes most of their law firm's staff and clients with him.

Rebuilding her practice from scratch, she gathers a diverse group of attorneys, each bringing their own unique approach to the cases at hand. The series, despite its compelling plot and character dynamics, was cancelled after three seasons.

9. The Defenders (2010-2011)

No, not the Marvel series, but a CBS legal drama starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell as a pair of colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys. They take on a variety of cases, from minor infractions to major crimes, all against the backdrop of the flashy, high-stakes world of Vegas.

The show stood out for its unique blend of procedural drama, personal storylines, and the buddy comedy chemistry between Belushi and O'Connell. Despite its original setting and fresh take on the genre (or, maybe, because of it, cause the audience just wasn't ready), the series was canceled after one season.

10. Reasonable Doubts (1991-1993)

In this groundbreaking series, Marlee Matlin, an Oscar-winning actress and activist for the deaf community, played a deaf prosecutor working alongside a detective, played by Mark Harmon. The show was highly praised for its authentic representation of deaf individuals and Matlin's compelling performance. The relationship between the leads, their personal lives, and their struggle to navigate the legal waters made for a compelling viewing experience.