THE FIRM DEFENDS A WOMAN ACCUSED OF PRETENDING TO BE A LESBIAN FOR FINANCIAL AND PERSONAL GAIN, ON ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL"

"It Girls and Beyond" - Brad defends a high-profile publicist who is being accused of entering into a lesbian relationship solely for financial and personal gain, all the while hiding her true heterosexuality from her lover. Meanwhile, Shore hires Catherine Piper (Betty White) to be his new assistant, and she wastes no time offending everyone in the office. And Denny Crane, initially insisting he try the case solo but reluctantly allowing Shore to serve as second chair, defends a doctor who is being sued for prescribing a drug that has not been approved by the FDA, on "Boston Legal," SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Monica Potter as Lori Colson, Rhona Mitra as Tara Wilson, Lake Bell as Sally Heep, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest-starring in "It Girls and Beyond" are Betty White as Catherine Piper, Sarah Carter as Tracey Green, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson as Stephanie Rogers, Andy Umberger as Attorney Morrison, David Purdham as Judge William Connolly, William Atherton as A.D.A. Howard Zale, Travis McKenna as Mark Harrison, Michael Ensign as Judge Paul Resnick, Michael O'Neill as Dr. Robert McLean, Gibby Brand as Dr. Leonard Raskin, Angela Sargeant as foreperson no. 1, Diane Kim as Marcia Allen and P.J. O'Connor as foreman.

"It Girls and Beyond" was written by Jonathan Shapiro and David E. Kelley, and directed by Mike Listo.

"Boston Legal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.