Kate McShane is an American legal drama television series that aired from September 10 until November 12, 1975. Kate McShane was the first series to feaure a female lawyer in the lead role.
In the premiere episode, ‘Best Possible Defense,’ Kate is stunned when a woman friend, Barbara Inerson, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, stemming from a terrorist bombing during her days as a student militant. Kate realizes that the Government is trying to force her rebellious client, Barbara, to inform on former fellow conspirators who are still underground, and who are the only witnesses to what really happened.
When a terrified homeowner shoots an armed intruder during a "wrong door" drug raid, it initially appears to be a clear case of self-defense. However, attorney Kate McShane must defend her client, Norman Kagan, against a murder charge stemming from evidence planted by a corrupt Federal agent. Narcotics inspector Brenner (guest star Clu Gulager), resentful over the fatal shooting of a colleague by Kagan, refuses to acknowledge that the raid on Kagan's home was a mistake. Consequently, Kate realizes it's her client's word against that of the government agent in court.
A burglar is killed In a trap by a scrappy old man, played by guest star Jack Gilford, who insists he is innocent of wrongdoing and demands his day in court. Angered by feisty Joe Ackerman's refusal to let Kate McShane plea bargain for him, prosecutor Harry Morrison vindictively seeks a sanity hearing and serves notice on Kate that he will spare no legal weapon at Joe's trial for manslaughter.
A pill-popping pro football star is charged with murder, but when Kate tries to defend him the powerful team management moves to get her off the case. Veteran player J.D. talks his accused buddy, Vinnie, into firing Kate, who realizes the ruthless team owner, Cervan, fears the story would come out in court.
Suspicious when her client readily confesses to a puzzling murder. Kate tries to learn what really happened and stumbles on a top-secret government operation. Despite official warnings to halt her inquiries, Kate, with help from her father and brother, uncovers facts that might clear her client but could ruin the sensitive federal investigation.
Kate uncovers an academic scandal when the pressure to “publish or perish” results in the slaying of Conrad, a scientist who stole another man's research. Charged with murder, the slain man's brilliant aide, Doug, refuses to plead guilty, and Kate has to defend him knowing the prosecutor has as evidence a security camera's taped playback of the fatal fight.
Kate and her friend (Susan Strasberg) take on the toy industry when the friend on a TV show, libels and slanders the company over the unsafe qualities of their products. The problem is, evidence isn't great — and even that is stolen. The boy who plays Susan’s son is Benjamin Stiller, the son of Anne and Jerry Stiller.
Billy, a former rock star trying for a comeback, is charged with murder in the lethal drug overdose of a young girl but maintains he is innocent. A young girl dies from a heroin overdose, and Kate McShane must defend the man who tried to save her on a manslaughter charge.
Kate defends an uncooperative detective who shot a suspect held in an assault on the cop's best friend's daughter. An arresting officer shoots one of a trio of rapists, then realizes that he has committed not one but two serious breaches of the police code.
A peddler of defective musical instruments vanishes before his victims can bring him to small claims court.
