A desperate battle to retain clients begins when Cary and Alicia's plan to leave the firm is exposed.

Alicia searches for answers as she tries to make sense of Will’s death in the aftermath of the courthouse shooting. Meanwhile, Diane delivers the somber news to the partners at Lockhart/Gardner who must decide how to move forward.

Alicia asks Cary to be her lawyer when Nelson Dubeck (Eric Bogosian) asks her to participate in a deposition; Will faces off with a new prosecutor while defending Jeffrey Grant (Hunter Parrish).

Cary hires a prison consultant to prepare him for incarceration while the team at Florrick/Agos/Lockhart does everything in its power to help him. Meanwhile, Alicia practices for the State’s Attorney candidates’ debate.

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.

Office politics come to a head when Will and Diane ask Alicia and Cary to face off against them in a mock trial, only to get more than they bargained for. Eli tries to avoid losing his role in Peter’s campaign to Jordan, as he continues his fight with the Justice Department.

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.

Lockhart/Gardner represents a small drilling contractor in a dispute against a major oil conglomerate which is going well until a South American dictator takes over the case. Meanwhile, the election results are in.

When Zach thinks he has witnessed vote tampering, Will, Alicia and Diane race to a series of emergency court proceedings on the night of the gubernatorial election; an unexpected source offers to help Cary start his own firm.

Alicia is asked to represent a partner in the firm on a DUI charge. Her attention is split when she is suddenly forced to face the Other Woman.

When a female military officer accuses a civilian contractor of attempting to rape her in Afghanistan, Alicia tries to prove that he is not protected by a law prohibiting servicemen from suing the military. Meanwhile, a surprising new obstacle appears in Peter's quest for the governorship.

When an erratic and litigious client is murdered, Alicia is convinced to waive attorney/client privilege to help the police when she learns that the killer may also be targeting someone close to her. Also, Peter and Mike Kresteva vie for an influential endorsement and Diane receives a stunning offer.

Alicia prepares for a key interview which could impact the outcome of the race for State’s Attorney. Also, Louis Canning pressures Florrick/Agos/Lockhart to agree on a settlement in his wrongful eviction case against the firm.

Alicia faces an uncertain future when she is forced to resign as State’s Attorney in the wake of a voter fraud scandal. Also, R.D. hires Diane and Cary to argue against two ultra-conservative lawyers for a test case involving mandatory minimum sentencing.

Diane represents ballistics expert Kurt McVeigh in a lawsuit; Eli takes an interest in Wendy Scott-Carr's illegal nanny.

Will and Diane scramble when Louis Canning and Patti Nyholm team up to bankrupt the firm. Also, Alicia faces conflicted feelings regarding her relationship with Peter, and Kalinda's past catches up to her.

Will, Diane and Alicia help Elsbeth Tascioni when she is arrested; Eli and Jordan give Peter conflicting pieces of advice.

When the Justice Department refuses to reveal who will be testifying against Eli, Elsbeth takes Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Perrotti to civil court for defamation in order to force him to answer her questions under oath. Meanwhile, Jordan helps Peter prepare for a debate and Alicia’s relationship with her co-workers evolves.

Alicia tries to obtain Lockhart/Gardner files as she prepares to exit the firm; faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, the firm hires Elsbeth Tascioni.

Alicia and Cary represent a client who changed firms and Will and Diane delay turning over the case files; Marilyn tries to give advice to Alicia.

When Cary's case goes to trial, a plea deal offer has him seriously considering jail time. Also, a joke between mother and daughter lands Alicia in trouble as her campaign for State's Attorney is in full stride.

As Alicia tries to revive her struggling law career, attorney Lucca Quinn becomes her competition; Peter engages a new strategist for his campaign, changing the dynamic with Eli in the process.

Alicia worries that she will break confidentiality when the Treasury Department forces her to report on her latest client, while Peter reluctantly digs into Will's past transgressions.

Lockhart-Gardner faces trouble when a recently divorced couple claims they influenced their separation for their own personal gain.

Alicia defends a judge against misconduct charges stemming from his days as a prosecutor. Meanwhile, Cary makes a career decision and Kalinda deals with the repercussions of Agent Delaney's investigation.