Julie Sharbutt

On the day of Peter's gubernatorial election, Zach spots a ballot box with a broken seal that leads him to believe vote tampering is taking place. Initially, Alicia, Will and Diane race to get the votes thrown out through emergency court proceedings, but a shock revelation halts them in their tracks as the election result hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, as he plots to start his own firm, Cary receives a tempting offer.

The firm's partners meet and decide to rescind the offer of partnership made to the fourth year associates, leaving them angry and demoralised. Will and Diane ask Alicia and Cary to stand against them in a mock trial to test the company's case when it represents the manufacturer of an energy drink that may have caused a teenager's death. The authorities confront Eli with evidence of his guilt.

The Justice Department has new witnesses who are willing to testify against Eli, but refuses to reveal who they are. When she discovers that Frank Landau is one of them, Elsbeth decides to take him to civil court for defamation so that she can force him to answer her questions under oath, which annoys Assistant US Attorney Josh Perrotti. Meanwhile, Peter prepares for a debate with Maddie Hayward.