The premiere of "Law and the City" unfurls with an introduction to Attorney An Ju-hyeong, framed by a narrator who reveals he stands at the cusp of his ninth year in the legal profession, painting a vivid picture of the relentless exhaustion that defines the lives of lawyers. Gradually, we are introduced to Ju-hyeong's circle of friends: Ha Sang-ki, Cho Chang-won, Bae Mun-jeong, and Yu Dong-wook, each stationed in different law firms within the same edifice.
As the narrative delves into Ju-hyeong's eight-year journey, fleeting scenes portray him grappling with deceitful clients, ultimately realizing that loyalty to a client doesn't necessitate camaraderie. Returning from a case, he offers pearls of wisdom to a greenhorn defense attorney.
Upon his return, Ju-hyeong encounters Park Kyeong-heon, a visually impaired accountant seeking representation. Kyeong-heon, once falsely accused of assault by his client Kim Seung-guk and having capitulated to the charges for expediency, now yearns to unveil the truth.
Later, the quintet converges for lunch at their familiar haunt, where work woes, daily grind, and salary gripes dominate the conversation. Ju-hyeong casually mentions a blind date lined up for the evening, prompting amused looks from his peers. His reputation for disliking every date he's ever been on precedes him....
Back at his desk, Ju-hyeong immerses himself in Kyeong-heon's case materials, including an audio tape documenting the scuffle between Kyeong-heon and Seung-guk. He pays a visit to Kyeong-heon's office, subtly observing him to ascertain the authenticity of his blindness. Kyeong-heon then unravels the tale of how Seung-guk manipulated the recording to frame him and even inflicted self-harm to feign injuries.
Ju-hyeon embarks on his blind date, but as anticipated, the encounter falls flat, leaving him unfulfilled. Later, he rejoins his friends for a communal dinner, where they share the news of Dong-wook's resignation, toasting his decision with libations.
The following morning, Kang Hee-ji, a vibrant young woman, steps into the spotlight during an interview at Dong-wook’s former law firm. The managing partner, Kang Jung-yoon, is immediately taken by Hee-ji's prowess and hires her on the instant. Delving into Dong-wook’s handover files, Hee-ji discovers a list of his friends' contact numbers, each linked to lunches they've shared. To her astonishment, these friends hail from diverse legal practices. As she peruses their photos, a flicker of recognition crosses her face when she stumbles upon Ju-hyeong’s image.
Meanwhile, Ju-hyeong persists in his work on the Park Kyeong-heon case, uncovering a surprising connection: Kyeong-heon and Seung-guk once shared the same residence. During lunch, Mun-jeong breaks the news that Hee-ji has reached out and plans to join them for dinner.
Hee-ji, defying the conventional norm where lawyers often absent themselves, attends a ruling hearing alongside one of her longstanding clients. Her boss, Jung-yoon, chances upon her and is astonished by the close bond she shares with her client.
Ju-hyeong confronts Kyeong-heon about their shared address, prompting Kyeong-heon to confess. He and Seung-guk were once romantic partners, and Kyeong-heon initially pleaded guilty to shield Seung-guk's identity. Now, he desires to appeal the case, desperate to retain his accountant’s license.
They venture into the courtroom, where Ju-hyeong, while presenting his argument, declares that Kyeong-heon and Seung-guk were once roommates, thereby cleverly avoiding exposure of Seung-guk's personal life. Following this revelation, Kyeong-heon expresses gratitude to Ju-hyeong for his trust, to which Ju-hyeong responds coolly, clarifying that he never truly believed him; rather, he merely presented the most persuasive facets of the case. Elsewhere, a woman exudes an air of intrigue as she approaches a room filled with the CEOs of prominent law firms, leaving one to ponder if she might indeed be the show's diabolical antagonist. With a sense of mystery surrounding her, An Ju-hyeong subsequently joins his friends for a night of libations. Later in the evening, Hee-ji enters the restaurant, and Ju-hyeong's face registers recognition, his eyes narrowing in what seems like a moment of realization.
