Elizabeth "Liz" Williams was a public defender at the Manhattan Criminal Court for most of the first season. Prior to the arrival of Mac Robinson on the series, Liz was the "normal", or level-headed character on the show. The part of Liz is played in season 1 by Paula Kelly. Liz replaced the original public defender, Sheila Gardiner, who was played by Gail Strickland in the series' pilot episode.