A Defense of Marriage (S04E09)

Lockhart/Gardner represents the CFO of an online tax filing company being sued for fraud. When the state tries to introduce a damning government wiretap into evidence, Alicia objects on the grounds of spousal privilege--the tape is a private conversation between her client and his husband, whom he legally married in Vermont. When the prosecution argues that spousal privilege doesn't apply to homosexual couples under the Defense of Marriage Act, legendary liberal crusader Jeremy Nussbaum offers to help with the case. Alicia and Diane are happy to have his help at first, but start to get worried when Nussbaum starts to position the defense as a test case that could be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court--without any consideration for their client. Alicia and Owen's mother, Veronica, visits for the first time. Her latest husband has just passed away, and she's fighting for control of his estate. (CBS TV Network)