Criminal defense attorney Portia Merriman specializes in defending downtrodden women with tactics that often annoy her sometime boyfriend, district attorney Dan Foster. One afternoon, Portia is excited to learn of the arrival of Earle and Richard Condon, the son and grandson of newspaper magnate John Condon, who have been living in England for the past seventeen years. Portia assigns her investigators, Efe and Hank, to keep a close eye on Richard, in whom she takes a particular interest. Later that night, Dan insists on taking Portia with him to a party given by John to celebrate Dan's successful prosecution, thanks to Portia's assistance, of a notorious gang. Portia refuses, however, since John's hatred of her is well-known. Soon after, Portia learns that Richard is ill, and she rushes to the Condon home in a panic. There, it is revealed that Portia is Richard's mother, although he is not aware of this fact. The doctor assures Portia that Richard will recover fully from his fever, and she is allowed a brief glimpse of her beloved son. At a party soon after, Portia tries to break off her relationship with Dan, saying that he cannot afford to be seen with her because he is running for re-election. Also at the party, Earle introduces Portia to Richard and Elizabeth Manners, Earle's English fiancée. Richard is impressed with Portia's wit and beauty, and is delighted when Earle later informs him that Portia is his mother. Portia and Richard soon become friends, much to the chagrin of John, who disapproved of her when she was involved with Earle and forced her to give up all claim to her baby after arranging an annulment of her marriage with Earle. John continues his meddling ways by trying to have Elizabeth deported on moral charges, and a distraught Earle rushes to her apartment. Elizabeth is convinced that the deportation is Earle's doing, and in a hysterical rage, she kills him. Jane Wilkins, Portia's secretary and best friend, convinces her to defend Elizabeth. John tries to get Portia disbarred by presenting the damaging affidavits he forced her to sign seventeen years ago to prevent her from claiming Richard, but Portia outwits him with a legal maneuver and the trial begins. Portia presents a defense of justifiable homicide, showing that Elizabeth was driven to the brink of insanity by John's actions. Portia also reveals that John similarly manipulated her relationship with Earle and that she was nearly driven to murder herself. During Portia's examination of John, he admits that the affidavits are false and takes full responsibility for Earle's death. Dan, who is prosecuting the case, polls the jury, and after they state that Elizabeth is not guilty, Portia and Richard embrace.