Alicia returns to work as a defense attorney after her husband's corruption scandal and incarceration. She is assigned her first case – a retrial of a woman accused of murdering her ex-husband. Her firm successfully deadlocked the first jury, and they hope that sticking to that strategy will work again, but Alicia realizes that this trial will be more of a fight than anyone expected.
Lockhart/Gardner defends Stephanie Engler, the owner of an adultery Web site, after one of her users is murdered, but the civil case turns criminal when the murder is pinned on Stephanie. Alicia goes ballistic on Kalinda about her one-night stand with Peter, causing Kalinda to contemplate leaving the firm.
When the Justice Department refuses to reveal who will be testifying against Eli, Elsbeth takes the Assistant U.S. Attorney to civil court for defamation in order to force him to answer her questions under oath. Jordan helps Peter prepare for a debate. Alicia’s relationship with her co-workers evolves.
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 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.
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.
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.
An open feed from a camera mistakenly left on after a teleconferenced deposition between the lawyers of Florrick/Agos and Lockhart/Gardner reveals a threat to the firm that Alicia and Cary never saw coming. Meanwhile, the fate of Lockhart/Gardner hangs in the balance as Louis Canning vies for a larger role. Also, Alicia entrusts Zach's high school graduation party to Jackie and Veronica.
When Frank Prady decides to go after Governor Florrick as a campaign tactic, Alicia is faced with the decision of whether or not to attack Peter’s record as well. Also, when Florrick/Agos/Lockhart take on the case of a man paralyzed by a malfunctioning gun created on a 3D printer, they call on Kurt McVeigh to testify as an expert witness, which leads to a rift between Diane and her husband.
Still reeling from the cyber-hack at her law firm, Alicia is ambushed with questions about her leaked emails during a television interview. Meanwhile, Diane takes on a case that pits her sympathies towards gay marriage against the rights of religious freedom. Also, an investigator starts looking into the evidence Diane used to get Cary out of prison...
As the grand jury against Peter Florrick is assembled, with U.S. Attorney Connor Fox leading the proceedings, Alicia, Eli and Peter's lawyer, Mike Tascioni, attempt to discover what charges are being leveled against him. Also, Alicia and Jason attempt to spend a quiet weekend together but are interrupted by her meddling family.
Diane, Cary and Lucca defend the grieving father of a shooting victim in a defamation suit over a billboard he put up describing a gun store owner as a murderer. Also, a romantic rendezvous between Alicia and Jason is interrupted when Alicia learns that Grace is being accused of plagiarizing her college entrance essay.
Alicia and Diane defend the privacy rights of a therapist whose neighbor, represented by attorney Caitlyn D'Arcy, flies a drone over his home office. Also, Assistant US Attorney Connor Fox attempts to use Eli's daughter Marissa, as leverage in the case against Peter while the power struggle at Lockhart, Agos & Lee reaches a boiling point.
Alicia and Lucca travel to Toronto to represent NSA agent Jeff Delinger who was detained by customs officers while attempting to re-enter the United States. Also, Diane grows concerned when her husband, Kurt McVeigh, decides to retire and sell his business to Holly Westfall, a rival business owner. Peter contemplates an uncertain future when faced with a possible arrest.