Season 5

Alicia must focus on the firm’s efforts to prevent the execution of a convicted murderer while she secretly plans her exit from the firm with Cary. Meanwhile, Eli helps Peter assemble his staff in the governor’s office.

Alicia and Cary sue the NSA on behalf of search engine Chumhum, unaware that Lockhart/Gardner’s connection to a former client has resulted in the spy agency monitoring the firm’s communications. Meanwhile, Alicia’s mom takes steps to support her daughter, and Eli works to secure Diane’s Supreme Court nomination.

Will makes Alicia a stunning offer which causes her to reconsider her plans to leave the firm. Also, the partners take action when Diane’s Supreme Court candidacy puts her at odds with her colleagues.

Alicia tries to obtain Lockhart/Gardner files as she prepares to exit the firm; faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, the firm hires Elsbeth Tascioni.

A desperate battle to retain clients begins when Cary and Alicia's plan to leave the firm is exposed.

Alicia and Cary represent a client who changed firms and Will and Diane delay turning over the case files; Marilyn tries to give advice to Alicia.

Zach makes a discovery that leads Alicia and Cary to believe that the Lockhart/Gardner firm is spying on them; Will helps one of Alicia's former clients; Clarke Hayden (Nathan Lane) offers financial advice to Florrick/Agos.

As Florrick/Agos move into their new offices, Alicia attempts to block the deportation of an undocumented immigrant before he is sent to Mexico, where a cartel has threatened his life. Also, Marilyn is concerned about the ethical ramifications when Eli reconnects with Natalie Flores, and Robyn tries to be more like Kalinda.

Alicia tries to hold a website accountable when its users accuse her client, a college professor, of being linked to domestic terrorism. Meanwhile, Will goes against Diane’s wishes when he hires Damian Boyle, an unpredictable attorney with ties to organized crime, who immediately interjects himself into Alicia’s website case. Also, Eli and Jackie clash over a Florrick family secret.

Alicia is shocked to learn that a former client bequeathed her millions, but Lockhart/Gardner quickly contests the will on behalf of the deceased’s wife. Meanwhile, Diane asks Kalinda to look into Damian’s background. Also, Eli and Marilyn are concerned about Peter being seen with Alicia’s more disreputable clients at the Florrick/Agos holiday party.

Alicia represents a band suing a TV show for copyright infringement, but the simple case becomes psychological warfare when Will joins the opposing council and uses his knowledge of Alicia’s strengths and weaknesses against her.

Alicia and Will each represent one half of a couple accused of smuggling drugs, but the courtroom becomes mired in confusion and legal technicalities when they insist on separate jury pools. Meanwhile, Cary attempts to woo a Lockhart/Gardner client, Kalinda tries to repair a damaged relationship and Marilyn begins her investigation into possible voter fraud during the gubernatorial election.

Florrick/Agos and Lockhart/Gardner fight to keep Lemond Bishop as a client when he is arrested on a drug-related charge, which possibly resulted from a leak inside Alicia's firm. Meanwhile, the investigation into voter fraud in the gubernatorial election continues to move forward when Marilyn is approached by an agent in the Office of Public Integrity.

When Alicia is asked to be the keynote speaker at the American Bar Association conference in New York City, she looks to her past for inspiration. Meanwhile, the competition with Diane and Will continues as Alicia and Cary battle to align with a powerful New York lawyer. Also, Will turns to an old acquaintance when it becomes clear that Nelson Dubeck's investigation into possible voter fraud isn't going away.

Alicia asks Cary to be her lawyer when Nelson Dubeck asks her to participate in a deposition; Will faces off with a new prosecutor while defending Jeffrey Grant.

Alicia searches for answers as she tries to make sense of Will’s death in the aftermath of the courthouse shooting. Meanwhile, Diane delivers the somber news to the partners at Lockhart/Gardner who must decide how to move forward.

Alicia and Diane consider merging their firms in the wake of Will's death, even as they find themselves on opposite sides of a contentious divorce suit. Meanwhile, Alicia offers assistance to Finn when it becomes clear that the State's Attorney is looking for a scapegoat in the Jeffrey Grant case.

Florrick/Agos takes on the case of an NSA whistleblower, only to learn that the agency has been monitoring the firm as well as Alicia’s personal life. Meanwhile, Diane faces the difficult task of working alongside Louis Canning when he joins Lockhart/Gardner. Also, Alicia goes after the State’s Attorney when he attempts to make Finn a scapegoat in the Jeffrey Grant case.

When Alicia pays a visit to longtime client Colin Sweeney, she finds herself in the unwanted role of witness when a body is discovered in his home. Meanwhile, Eli steps in when an unfortunate picture of Zach threatens to become a public relations nightmare for Peter.

When Alicia has a chance encounter with a charming entrepreneur during jury duty, she begins to consider options outside her marriage and seeks the advice of her mother. Meanwhile, Diane's friends come to her for legal advice when their son is accused of selling drugs on the Internet.

Alicia manages the fallout when her client's insensitive statements to the press threaten the fate of a multi-billion dollar merger. Meanwhile, Diane faces a potential conflict of interest when she and Louis Canning are on opposite sides of a class action suit involving a pharmaceutical company. Also, Eli learns the truth about Alicia and Peter's relationship.

The futures of Florrick/Agos and Lockhart/Gardner are at stake when the firms consider merging, driving a wedge between Alicia and Cary. Meanwhile, Diane makes a big decision when Louis Canning challenges her role at her firm.