Law in Popular Culture

Kathy Bates Stars in New NBC Legal Drama About a Fired Lawyer

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Kathy Bates stars as a patent lawyer fired from her blue-chip law firm in a new TV series by the creator of Ally McBeal, Boston Legal and The Practice.

Bates’ role in Harry’s Law was originally written for a man, according to Reuters and John Kiesewetter’s TV & Media Blog at Cincinnati.com. When show creator David Kelley couldn’t find the right actor for the part, he changed the character to Harriet “Harry” Korn and hired Bates.

In a conference call, Bates told journalists that the character is “forceful but eccentric and lovable,” the Reuters story says. Harriet Korn is 60 years old when she loses her job at a Cincinnati firm, and she recovers by opening a walk-in law office in an abandoned shoe store. Harry’s Law premiers Jan. 17 on NBC.

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